If you've ever found yourself gazing off in to the distance, only to find yourself interrupted by black or grey squiggles drifting across your vision, then you're familiar with eye 'floaters'.
You might have thought it was just a bit of dust or the result of you losing focus, but now experts have weighed in on what they actually are and whether you should be worried about them.
What exactly are 'floaters'?
It might sound like a made-up term, but WebMD has a whole page dedicated to eye floaters, so it's safe to say they're a real thing.
They're called 'floaters' because they move around in your eye, and tend to float away when you try to focus on them. They can look like little pieces of string, spiderwebs, rings or dots, but they shouldn't interfere with your sight as a whole.
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You've probably encountered them before as they can be quite common, with seven out of 10 people experiencing them at some point, according to MedEye Associates.
What causes eye floaters?
According to WebMD's page, which has been reviewed by dermatologist Zilpah Sheikh, MD, the floaters aren't just dust or dirt, but instead they're made of little flecks of collagen which from part of a gel-like substance called the vitreous, located in the back of your eye.
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Over time, the protein fibers that make up the vitreous shrink and clump together, then cast shadows on your eye - this is what causes floaters.
While these changes typically occur in people between the ages of 50 and 75, they can happen at any age. You're also more likely to have eye floaters if you’re nearsighted or have had cataract surgery.
Should I be concerned about eye floaters?
While floaters generally shouldn't impact your ability to see, it is possible that they could be indicative of something more serious going on.
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In rare cases, they can result from the following conditions:
- Eye disease
- Eye injury
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Crystal-like deposits that form in the vitreous
- Eye tumors
There are also some serious eye disorders associated with floaters, according to WebMD, which include:
- Detached retina
- Torn retina
- Bleeding in your vitreous
- Inflamed vitreous or retina caused by an infection or autoimmune condition
- Eye tumors
Floaters could be caused by tumors or bleeding (Getty Stock Photo)
When should I see a doctor?
There are a number of situations in which floaters may prompt a visit to the doctor, including if the floaters are new, have dramatically changed, or feel more intense than they used to.
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You may also experience a flash in your vision, which happens when the vitreous has pulled away from the retina. If you see a flash, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Contacting a doctor is also recommended if you experience floaters in addition to other symptoms, such as blurriness in your side or front vision, a dark shadow covering part of your sight, or eye pain.
Can I get rid of eye floaters myself?
If the floaters are mild and do not appear to be linked to any other eye issues, you can learn to live with them, and the experts have offered some tips on how that can be done.
- Try to move the floaters away from your vision by moving your eyes and looking up and down - this shifts the fluid around in your eyes.
- Eat a well-balanced diet including vitamin A-rich foods, which can support your eye health.
- Take supplements for eye health including Vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc supplements - though it's recommended that you consult a doctor before taking any new supplements.
- Do eye exercises such as slowly moving your eyes in circles; this can improve blood circulation in your eyes and reduce how many floaters you may notice.
- Quit smoking; this can also improve blood circulation.
- Try to avoid eye strain by reducing how often and long you look at computer screens.
- Filter bright lights with the use of low lighting and sunglasses.
Mild eye floaters can also be treated with procedures such as laser treatment or a vitrectomy, which is when the vitreous is replaced it with a salt solution or a bubble made of oil or gas.
Emily Brown