You may sometimes see small specks of clouds moving in your field of vision.  These are called floaters.  You can often see them when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. 

 

Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel of cells inside the vitreous, the clear gel-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually floating around inside it.  What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the layer of cells lining the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see.   Floaters can appear as different shapes, such as little dots, circles, lines clouds, or cobwebs.

 

When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps of strands inside the eye.  The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. This is a common cause of floaters. 

 

Posterior vitreous detachment is more comment in people who:

    - are nearsighted

    - have undergone cataract surgery

    - have had YAG laser surgery

    - have had inflammation inside the eye

 

The appearence of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop very suddenly.  You should contact your ophthamologist right away if you develop new floaters, especially if you are over 45 years of age. 

 

The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye.  This sometimes causes a small amount of bleeding in the eye that may appear as new floaters. 

 

A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachement.  You should see your ophthamologist as soon as possible if you even one new floater suddenly appears or if you see sudden flashes of light. 

 

Floaters may be a symptom of a tear in the retina, which is a serious problem.  If a retinal tear is not treated, the retina may detach from the back of the eye.  The only treatment fo a detached retina is surgery. 

 

Other floaters are harmless and fade over time or become less bothersome, requiring no treatment.  Surgery to remove floaters is almost never required.  Vitamin therapy will not cause floaters to disappear. 

 

Even if you have had floaters for years, you should schedule an eye examination with your ophthamologist if you suddenly notice new floaters. 

 

When the vitreous gel rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what looks like flashing lights or lightening streaks.  Your may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars."  

 

The flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months.  As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes.  If you notice the sudden appearence of light flashes, you should contact your ophthamologist immediately in case the retina has been torn.