Summary about Disease
Eye floaters are small spots or specks that drift across your field of vision. They can appear as black or gray dots, lines, cobwebs, or strings. They are usually caused by age-related changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eye. While typically harmless, a sudden increase in floaters or the presence of flashes of light could indicate a more serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Symptoms
Small shapes in your vision that appear as dark specks or transparent strings of floating material.
Spots that move when you move your eyes, so when you try to look at them, they drift away.
Spots that are most noticeable when looking at a plain background, such as a blue sky or a white wall.
Spots that eventually settle down and drift out of your line of vision.
Flashes of light (less common, but potentially serious).
Causes
Age-related changes (Vitreous Syneresis): The most common cause. As you age, the vitreous gel inside your eye liquefies and shrinks. This process can cause strands of the vitreous to clump together, casting shadows on the retina that you perceive as floaters.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): When the vitreous pulls away from the retina. This is also often age-related.
Retinal Tear or Detachment: If the shrinking vitreous pulls on the retina with enough force, it can cause a tear. A retinal tear can lead to retinal detachment, a serious condition that can cause vision loss if not treated promptly.
Vitreous Hemorrhage: Bleeding into the vitreous can occur due to diabetes, hypertension, injury, or blocked blood vessels.
Inflammation: Inflammation in the eye (uveitis) can release inflammatory debris into the vitreous.
Eye surgery: Certain eye surgeries can introduce floaters.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to blood vessels in the retina caused by diabetes.
Crystalline Deposits: Rare, small reflective deposits can form in the vitreous.
Medicine Used
There isn't a standard medication for treating common floaters caused by age-related vitreous changes. In most cases, floaters are harmless and fade over time or become less noticeable as the brain adapts.
Observation: The most common approach is simply to observe the floaters.
Vitrectomy: In rare cases, if floaters significantly impair vision, a vitrectomy (surgical removal of the vitreous) may be considered. However, vitrectomy carries significant risks, including retinal detachment, cataracts, and infection, and is typically only reserved for severe cases.
Laser Vitreolysis: Some specialists offer laser vitreolysis, where a laser is used to vaporize the floaters. This procedure is controversial and its long-term safety and effectiveness are still being studied. Important: If the floaters are caused by an underlying condition (e.g., retinal tear, inflammation), treatment will be directed at the underlying cause. This might involve laser surgery, cryopexy (freezing), injections, or medications.
Is Communicable
Eye floaters are not communicable. They are not caused by a virus, bacteria, or any other infectious agent, and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Regular Eye Exams: Get regular comprehensive eye exams, especially as you age, to monitor for any changes in your eyes and to detect any underlying conditions.
Prompt Attention to Changes: If you experience a sudden increase in floaters, new floaters, flashes of light, or a loss of peripheral vision, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Manage Underlying Conditions: If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, manage these conditions effectively to reduce the risk of eye complications.
Protect Your Eyes: Wear appropriate eye protection when participating in activities that could cause eye injury.
How long does an outbreak last?
There is no "outbreak" of eye floaters, as they are not contagious. Pre-existing floaters can remain for years. The initial increase in floaters associated with a PVD can be noticeable for weeks to months, gradually becoming less bothersome as the brain adapts. If caused by an underlying condition, the duration will depend on the successful treatment of that condition.
How is it diagnosed?
Eye floaters are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The exam typically includes:
Visual Acuity Test: To assess your overall vision.
Slit-Lamp Examination: A special microscope that allows the doctor to examine the structures of your eye in detail.
Dilated Eye Exam: Eye drops are used to dilate (widen) your pupils, allowing the doctor to see the retina and vitreous more clearly. This is crucial for identifying the cause of the floaters, such as a retinal tear or detachment.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): An imaging technique to view cross-sections of the retina.
Other Tests: Depending on the findings, other tests may be performed to rule out underlying conditions.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline of symptoms can vary.
Sudden Onset: Many people experience a sudden onset of floaters, often associated with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This may be accompanied by flashes of light.
Gradual Appearance: Some people notice a gradual increase in floaters over time.
Fluctuating Visibility: The visibility of floaters can fluctuate depending on lighting conditions, eye movement, and the background you are viewing.
Adaptation: Over time, many people adapt to the presence of floaters, and they become less noticeable.
Important Considerations
Severity: Most floaters are harmless and do not require treatment. However, it's crucial to distinguish between benign floaters and those that may indicate a serious underlying condition.
Flashes of Light: The presence of flashes of light along with floaters is a warning sign that should prompt immediate medical attention, as it may indicate a retinal tear or detachment.
Sudden Increase: A sudden and significant increase in the number of floaters should also be evaluated promptly.
Underlying Conditions: Floaters can be a symptom of underlying eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, or uveitis. These conditions require prompt and appropriate treatment to prevent vision loss.
Impact on Quality of Life: While most floaters are not visually impairing, they can be bothersome and affect quality of life in some individuals.
Vitrectomy Risks: The decision to pursue vitrectomy for floaters should be made carefully, considering the potential risks and benefits.
Second Opinion: Consider obtaining a second opinion from another ophthalmologist if you are considering treatment for floaters.