Floaters are the shadows that run across your field of vision when staring at a blank wall. Though not always a serious concern, if you have a sudden increase in floaters, Leroy W. Robinson, III, OD, Ealeen H. Kim, OD, William C. Ackerman Jr., MD, and the team at Advanced Eye Center in Gainesville, Georgia, recommend coming in for an evaluation. Floaters are a symptom of eye conditions involving the retina. For cutting-edge, patient-centered care, call Advanced Eye Center today or schedule your floaters appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat are floaters?
Floaters are spots in your vision. They look like gray or black specks, strings, or webs. They may appear when you move your eye and dart away when you try to look at them directly.
Floaters are clumps of gel or cells that form in the vitreous (fluid) of the eye.
What causes floaters?
Floaters most often occur due to age-related changes in the vitreous. As you get older, the fluid in your eye liquifies and pulls away from the inside of the eyeball. These changes cause the collagen fibers in the fluid to form clumps and strings.
However, there are eye conditions that cause floaters, including:
Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation in the middle layer of your eye. You may have floaters if the inflammation occurs in the back of the eye.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is when the retina pulls away from its normal position in the back of the eye. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. When left untreated, retinal detachment may lead to permanent vision loss.
Retinal tear
Changes in the vitreous may pull on the retina, causing a tear. A retinal tear may lead to a retinal detachment.
When should I see an ophthalmologist for floaters?
The team at Advanced Eye Center recommends coming in for a consultation if you have a sudden increase in floaters, see flashes of light, or have vision changes.
You should have regular eye exams to check for floaters if you have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or an autoimmune disease. These conditions, which affect people from all backgrounds but are more common in Hispanics and Latinos, put you at risk of developing retinal eye conditions.
The team at Advanced Eye Center reviews your symptoms and medical history, checks your vision, and examines your eye. They also perform a dilated eye exam so they can examine your retina to look for signs of tearing or detachment.
What are the treatments for floaters?
The team at Advanced Eye Center takes a patient-centered approach to care, customizing plans based on the underlying cause of your floaters. In many cases, they may not recommend any treatment other than monitoring.
If you have a retinal tear or retinal detachment, the team may recommend a procedure at their modern surgery center to fix it.
Don’t ignore your floaters, especially when they appear suddenly. Call Advanced Eye Center or schedule an appointment online today.