Flecks, spots and squiggles that appear in your field of vision may be floaters. They’re typically harmless yet annoying distractions that become more common as people age.

Not all floaters are age-related developments. Some arise because of injury or infection; others may be a medical emergency.

“Most eye floaters are bothersome but not harmful,” says family medicine doctor, Timothy Wuu, M.D.“However, if floaters seem to threaten your vision, seek treatment immediately.”

Read on to learn which eye floaters are harmless and which need emergency care.

What are eye floaters?

• Floaters are small spots that you see which disrupt your view. They’re easiest to notice when looking at something bright and solid, like blue sky or a computer monitor.
  
  
• Eye floaters aren’t stationary; they gradually float or move across your field of vision. They don’t block your entire view but instead look like dirt in the way.
  
  
• Floaters form in the gel-like liquid in the center of your eye (the vitreous). As people age, tiny clumps of vitreous gel may stick together.
• These tiny clumps cast shadows on the retina at the back of the eye. You may notice these shadows because you see whatever appears on the retina.
• Eye infections may also cause clumps to form in the vitreous gel. Blood in the vitreous, from eye injuries, may also cast shadows on the retina.
  
  
• In many cases, floaters gradually move out of your line of sight. Usually, no treatment is required to improve your vision.
  
  

Who is at risk for eye floaters?

Older adults are most likely to develop eye floaters, due to normal age-related changes: Hair turns gray, the skin wrinkles and clumps may form in the vitreous.

The chance of you developing eye floaters increases as you age. The risk increases if you:

• Wear glasses or contact lenses because you’re nearsighted
• Previously had cataract surgery
• Have type 2 diabetes
• Have experienced swelling or inflammation within the eye

Common Causes of Eye Floaters

The most common cause of floaters is age-related changes within the eye. Other common causes of floaters, that are usually harmless, include:

• Eye infections
• Injuries to the eye
• Bleeding within the eye
• Inflammation within the eye (uveitis)
• When the vitreous detaches from the retina

Causes of Eye Floaters That May be a Medical Emergency

Some eye floaters may be signs of more serious eye problems, such as:

• A tear in the retina
• A detached retina, which pulls away from the back of the eye

A retinal tear may lead to a detached retina. Without immediate care, a detached retina may cause permanent vision loss or blindness.

Warning Signs of Retinal Tears or Detached Retinas:

• Sudden flashes of light
• Sudden appearance of new floaters in the field of vision
• Shadows in the periphery of vision 
• Your view from one eye is suddenly blocked, as if by a dark curtain

When you experience sudden vision changes like these, it may be a medical emergency. See your eye doctor right away, if possible, or go to the emergency room.

Doctors can treat a retinal tear before it causes a retinal detachment. Treatments for a detached retina are very effective, if the detachment is caught early.

“If you’re concerned that floaters could mean retinal detachment, go to the ER,” says Dr. Wuu. “Because detachment can cause permanent vision loss, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Timothy Wuu, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Wuu or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website. 

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.