Those drifting specks and strands: when they are harmless and when to get checked.
Essential Information on Floaters
Many people have floaters.
Long-standing, unchanging floaters are rarely a concern.
A sudden onset should be examined promptly.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters look like small grey or black specks, lines or cobweb-like strands in your vision. They move when your eyes move, but lag behind and keep drifting when your eyes stop. They appear when little clumps of material in the vitreous, the gel that fills the back of the eye, cast shadows on the retina. The causes range from harmless to serious.
Are Floaters Serious?
Many people have them, and floaters that have been there a long time and do not change are usually not a worry. A sudden appearance of one or several large floaters can point to a more serious problem, so anyone who notices this should see an optometrist promptly. During the exam, drops are used to widen the pupils so the vitreous and retina can be examined.
What Will the Optometrist Look For?
The optometrist checks the inside of the eye for signs of disease or damage to the vitreous or the retina. Sudden floaters or flashes often occur when the vitreous pulls away from the retina. In about 10% of these cases the retina tears or detaches. Most of the time the retina is intact, and the optometrist books a follow-up exam.
What Can Be Done About Floaters?
Floaters usually fade over weeks or months, although they rarely disappear completely, and most people learn to live with them. Floaters and flashes can fade even when a retinal tear or detachment is present, so an eye exam is still advised even if things seem to be improving. If a tear or detachment is found, the optometrist will discuss treatment options.