Floaters in The Eye

Causes and Treatment Options for Vitreous Floaters

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Learn What Causes Eye Floaters

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If you have ever wondered what causes eye floaters, it is time to learn a little about this common eye issue. After all, many people in their twenties and older have experienced floaters at some point, some more than others. In most people, it is completely normal, while in others, it can be a predictor of serious medical issues, such as retinal detachment.

The simplest way to explain what causes eye floaters is that your eye contains a gel called the vitreous humor, which sits between the lens of the eye and the retina in order to help keep the eyeball’s round shape. It is made up of water, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. The latter substance retains water molecules, but in time, it slowly releases them into the vitreous. As the eye ages, parts of the collagen and hyaluronic acid tend to break off and float in the water of the eye. Any time light is passed through the substance, a shadow is formed, which is what you end up glimpsing.

Since all this takes place over time, teenagers, children, and infants do not typically get eye floaters, as their eyes have not aged enough for the vitreous to deteriorate. If you have ever gotten eye floaters, you may have noticed that you cannot look right at them, as they are constantly moving. In fact, when you move your eyes, the floaters move as well, so you will never be able to get a good look at them.

Clearly, floaters often occur naturally, so in most people, they are nothing to be concerned about. However, one major issue that is worth paying attention to is the risk of retinal detachment. One sign of this is the sudden occurrence of lots of floaters, usually along with flashes of light. If you are unsure what causes eye floaters in your case, it is a good idea to see an eye doctor to make sure that what you are experiencing is normal, and not a symptom of an issue that can cause blindness.

Why Ask What Are Floaters in the Eye?

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Many people are not particularly concerned about their vision, as they assume that if they are young and generally healthy, they will have no issues. However, medical problems that lead to blindness may occur in just about anyone. For this reason, it is important to ask questions regarding seemingly normal issues, such as what are floaters in the eye? Though most people are under the assumption that many people get floaters at some point, it can also mean that there is a serious problem with the eye, which makes asking questions about it important.

Floaters are actually caused by some deterioration in the eye over time, as it is a sign of the vitreous breaking down a bit. This means that though it is quite common as we age, it is still indicative of some damage to the eyes, and should never be ignored. Therefore, even if you seem otherwise healthy, there is no shame in heading to your eye doctor to get checked out, or in asking questions like what are floaters in the eye?

Of course, while most cases of eye floaters turn out normal, some people are not so lucky. This is because many cases of retinal detachment start out with a sudden shower of floaters, usually along with flashes of light. Some people also suddenly get a curtain or blur on their peripheral vision. If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to go to the doctor right away. Delaying this can result in going blind.

Clearly, retinal detachment is a serious problem, but getting it treated as soon as possible can stop any long-term effects. Being aware of the signs of this issue is paramount, since the end result of blindness can be prevented by fast medical care. Thus, it can be beneficial to your health to ask questions like what are floaters in the eye?