You may have heard of eye floaters, but might not know what they are or what they look like. It can be hard to tell if you have ever had a floater before if you do not know what to look for. Though they are typically harmless and quite normal to experience, in some cases they can signify an eye issue. Thus, it is still helpful to know what they are and why they exist.
What Do Floaters Look Like?
Most people describe floaters as either straight or squiggly lines, though they can also look like spots or blobs. You may see just one at a time, or several, and they are usually either black or gray. They can also vary in width, with some appearing thin and others thicker. In fact, the look of floaters usually varies from person to person, and they even look different in one eye than the other. Note that floaters occur only when your eyes are open, so do not confuse them with flashes, which you may notice when your eyes are closed.
What Is the Significance of Floaters?
Now that you have an idea of what floaters tend to look like, you may be realizing that you have in fact seen them before. It is quite common to see floaters at some point in your life, which means that you do not need to worry. However, in some cases, they are a sign that you should get your eyes checked at the doctor to look for other possible issues.
The following are symptoms that your eye floaters may signify that something is wrong:
- You suddenly see floaters much more often than before
- You see a sudden shower of them, along with flashes of light
- You begin to get cloudy vision or lose your side vision
If these problems occur, it is important to seek medical attention immediately since your retina could be detaching, eventually resulting in blindness.