Small spots, cobweb-like strands, or clouds that move across your field of vision are called floaters. They are usually harmless, but treatments are available if they bother you or affect your vision.
What are floaters?
Eye floaters can move across your field of vision and become more prominent when you look at something bright. They generally don't affect your vision, although if they are large, they may appear to cast a shadow over your vision in certain types of light.
They are caused by changes over time in the vitreous humor inside the eyes, which is attached to the retina. As we age, the vitreous humor becomes more liquid, and the tiny collagen fibers within it clump together and cast a shadow on the retina. It is this shadow that you see.
Floaters are most common between the ages of 50 and 75. They don't usually go away, but they generally don't require treatment. Over time, you learn to live with them as your brain adapts, and you don't notice them as much.
What are the symptoms of floaters in the eyes?
Eye floaters can appear as:
- Black or gray dots.
- Wavy lines or 'worms'.
- Knotty strands.
- Cobwebs.
- Rings.
- They can move away when you look at them, or they can move out of your field of vision.
How are floaters diagnosed?
If you're bothered by floaters, you can visit our Ophthalmology Center in Santa Cruz de Tenerife . One of our specialists will examine your eyes to determine what's causing the floaters.
Floater treatments
If floaters bother you, there are two possible treatments:
- Surgery to remove floaters (vitrectomy): This involves a small incision in the eye to remove the floater and some or all of the vitreous humor. It is replaced with a solution. This procedure may not eliminate all floaters.
- Laser treatment (vitreolysis): Nanosecond pulses of laser light are applied to the eye through a contact lens to convert collagen molecules into gas. This reduces the size of the floater or eliminates it completely. It is performed as an outpatient procedure and typically takes 20 to 60 minutes. Most people need two or three treatments to eliminate them.
You should seek help if:
- You have many more floaters than usual.
- They appear very suddenly.
- You also have flashes of light in the same eye.
- There is darkness to the side or sides of your vision.
Floaters can occur, although rarely, due to a tear, hemorrhage, or detachment of the retina, all of which require urgent medical attention.
A detached retina is more common if you have suffered trauma to the eye, are nearsighted, have undergone cataract surgery, or have had a detached retina in the past.
One of our ophthalmologists will rule out other possible causes of floaters, such as inflammation or certain eye medications.
If you or a member of your family are experiencing floaters, we welcome you to our Ophthalmology Clinic in Santa Cruz de Tenerife . Contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our professionals. You'll receive the best ophthalmological care in the Canary Islands!
