Things to Consider About Eye Floaters

Shifting troublesome floaters

Floaters are suspended in the vitreous humour, which means they move around. Floaters in your peripheral vision tend to go unnoticed, but sometimes, particles can cross in front of the central vision. If you are troubled by a floater, you can try looking up and down, and from side to side, to swish the vitreous humour and move the floater out of the way. However this does not always work. While some people find floaters troublesome, they are typically harmless and surgery is not indicated.

Damage to the retina

In some people, the age related detachment of the vitreous humour from the surface of the retina can cause tears in the retina. Tiny droplets of blood may appear as a fresh crop of floaters. Short-sighted people, and those who have undergone surgery for cataracts, are at increased risk of tears to the retina. A complication of untreated retinal tears is retinal detachment. In this condition, the retina comes away from the back of the eyeball and permanent loss of vision can result if immediate treatment is not sought.

Things to remember

Vitreous humour is a jelly-like substance that helps maintain the shape of the eyeball.

Floaters are usually harmless specks suspended in the vitreous humour.

A sudden increase in the amount of floaters may indicate damage or disease, and should be investigated by an eye specialist.

Go back to What are Eye Floaters?

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