What Are Vitreous Floaters? Vitreous floaters are small particles or protein strands within the gel-like vitreous inside your eye. While harmless in most cases, they can be annoying—especially when looking at bright surfaces like the sky or a white screen. As they drift, these floaters cast tiny shadows on the retina and may look like moving dots, strands, or cobwebs.
They’re more common with age, particularly between the ages of 50 and 70, due to the natural shrinkage and liquefaction of the vitreous.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitreous Floaters Floaters typically appear in many shapes and movements:
- Grey or black dots
- Squiggly lines or wispy strands
- Transparent rings or cobwebs
- Threadlike floaters that shift when you move your eyes
These often become more noticeable in bright lighting or when staring at blank backgrounds. In many cases, they become less distracting as they “settle” below your line of sight.
When to Worry: Retinal Warning Signs While floaters are usually harmless, sudden or severe symptoms may indicate a more serious issue such as a retinal tear or detachment. These include:
- Sudden appearance of new floaters
- Flashes of light (photopsias)
- A curtain-like shadow moving across your vision
- Rapid vision loss or distortion
These symptoms require immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision damage.
Causes and Risk Factors Floaters are primarily caused by natural age-related changes, but other contributing factors include:
- Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Previous eye trauma or surgery
- Inflammation within the eye (uveitis)
These changes cause the gel inside the eye to clump or shrink, casting shadows perceived as floaters.
Treatment Options Most floaters require no treatment. However, if they become dense and affect vision significantly, options may include:
Vitrectomy – A surgical procedure to remove the vitreous gel and replace it with saline. It is effective but carries risks such as retinal detachment, bleeding, and cataracts.
Laser Therapy – Used in rare cases to break up floaters, though not widely adopted.
If a retinal tear is found early, non-invasive laser therapy or cryopexy (cold treatment) can be used to prevent retinal detachment. More severe cases may require:
- Pneumatic retinopexy
- Scleral buckling
- Vitrectomy for reattachment
In Summary Floaters are typically a natural part of ageing and are mostly benign. But sudden changes or accompanying flashes should never be ignored. Regular check-ups with your optometrist can ensure early detection and help preserve your long-term vision.
