What are eye spots & floaters?
Eye Floaters causes, symptoms and treatment
Spots, which are often called floaters, are small specks, circles or clouds moving into your field of vision. Floaters are more easily seen when looking at a plain or light colored background. Floaters or Spots are actually tiny clumps of gel located inside the vitreous which is the fluid that fills the inside of the eye. Eye Floaters can form different shapes including: specks, strands and webs. When you see a floater in your vision you’re actually seeing shadows of the spots on your retina. Spots may sound odd, but in fact almost everyone has them at one time but they are more noticeable with age.
What causes spots?
Eye Spots or Floaters can be caused by many things including: injury, problems at birth and age. Occasionally, small pieces of protein get trapped before birth during the formation of the eye and stuck in the vitreous, which is located in the inner part of the eye and is made up of a jelly-like fluid. As people get older the vitreous begins to turn from gel into liquid and can form clumps or eye floaters. With age the vitreous forms more and more clumps or floaters. Spots may also be the result of injury, eye disease or eye deterioration. If an injury or problem is severe enough that it changes the vitreous’ structure it can form eye floaters. Eye floaters are more common in people who: are nearsighted, have had cataract surgery, have had laser surgery or have had inflammation in the eye.
What are the signs and symptoms of Floaters?
- A small object, spot or shadowy shape appear in your vision
- Flashes of light which can appear as jagged lines in your vision (more often in older people). Flashes of light may also be caused by something else, like a blow to the head or a detached retina, so it is best you check with your eye doctor.
- Spots can be present during migraine headaches
- Spots or objects appear and disappear when slowly moving
Some of the symptoms of eye floaters can also be caused by a more serious condition like retinal detachment. So, if you have any symptoms of an eye floater contact your eye care provider immediately to rule out a more serious condition.
How are spots detected and treated?
During complete eye exams when your doctor looks into the eye with light they can see your inner eye and determine if you have any spots or floaters. Contact Family Vision Center to schedule your routine eye exam and get checked for spots and floaters. Many spots or eye floaters don’t cause any harm and are just a nuisance. Spots/Floaters often go away with time or become less of a nuisance. However, there are some treatments available and in rare cases, eye doctors may okay a surgery to remove the floaters.