Experts have shared what to do if you see ‘eye floaters.’
The eyes are considered the most important organ of sense, as we perceive up to 80 percent of all impressions through our sight.
Our sense of sight is responsible for most of the information we absorb from our five combined senses.
The movements we perform, the tasks we complete, and personal interactions rely on vision somehow. Even sleep schedules are affected by the light we see during the day so having healthy eyes is hugely important.
Eyesight deterioration is a natural part of aging and usually isn’t any reason to be concerned, and one of the major symptoms includes eye floaters.
Many people feel relieved to learn they’re not alone in experiencing eye floaters.
One person shares, “I just learned about ‘floaters’ today! I always thought I had something stuck in my eye.”
Another adds, “I keep seeing ‘flies’ everywhere and keep rubbing my eye, but there’s nothing there. It’s so frustrating—I have constant floaters.”
A third responds, “I thought it was just me! I keep thinking there’s a spider or a fly, waving my arms like I’m crazy, only to realize it’s just a floater.”
Eye floaters are incredibly common, affecting around seven in ten people, and can appear at any time.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Eye floaters are spots in your vision that may appear as black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs. They tend to drift when you move your eyes and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.”
Most cases of eye floaters result from age-related changes in the vitreous—the jelly-like substance inside the eye—which gradually liquefies and contracts.
WebMD specialist Rick Ansorge explains, “As you age, the protein fibers that make up the vitreous shrink into tiny shreds that clump together.”
These clumps of collagen fibers cast small shadows on the retina, which appear as floaters.
In most cases, eye floaters are harmless and not a cause for concern.
The NHS reassures that if floaters have been present for a long time, are not worsening, and do not affect vision, there is typically no need to worry.
You’re more likely to experience eye floaters if you’re nearsighted or have had cataract surgery.
While most floaters are harmless, in some cases, they can indicate underlying issues. According to WebMD, they may be linked to “eye disease, eye injury, diabetic retinopathy, crystal-like deposits in the vitreous, or even eye tumors.”
The NHS warns that floaters can signal a medical emergency if you suddenly develop them, notice a significant increase in their number, or experience flashes of light for the first time.
Other serious warning signs include a dark “curtain” or shadow moving across your vision, blurred vision, eye pain, or floaters appearing after surgery or an eye injury. These symptoms could indicate severe problems at the back of the eye.
For most people, floaters are common and not a cause for concern. However, if they become bothersome, experts suggest trying to move them out of your field of vision by shifting the fluid in your eyes—this can be done by looking up and down.
Maintaining good eye health may also help. Taking supplements like omega-3, zinc, and vitamin A, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking can all contribute to better vision.
