Understanding Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are small specks or moving cloud like shapes which occur in your field of vision. They are actually tiny clumps of gel inside the jelly-like substance which fills up our eyes. Eye floaters can be of various shapes, consistencies and sizes - like spots, strands, web-like or other shapes. There origin might be embryonic or acquired due to degeneration of the retina. When you see floaters, what you are seeing, are the shadows of floaters or clumps cast on the retina, which is the light-sensitive section of the eye. The awareness of floaters is called myodesopsia. Because the floaters are inside your eye, they tend to move the way your eyes move. Floaters can be in the form of flashes of light, which occur mostly to older people. These floaters are mostly due to a mechanical stimulation of photoreceptors, when the jelly-like vitreous sometimes pulls on the retina. They could be a precursor to a condition called detached retina. If we receive a blow on the head, we often 'see stars'. These are actually floaters in the form of flashes.

As mentioned above, eye floaters are caused by clumping of the jelly-like fluid or the vitreous gel starts to liquefy or shrink. This is caused by aging, when the clumps detach from the retina. Floaters can also materialize as jagged lines or 'heat waves' and last for 10 or more minutes in both the eyes. These light flashes are often caused by a sudden spasm of blood vessels in the brain - which is also known as migraine. If the flashes are followed by a headache, it is known as a migraine headache. When there is no headache following the flashes, they are called ophthalmic migraine.

There are several reasons for eye floaters to occur. As we grow older, the gel-like vitreous within our eyes, start to turn into liquid and shrink. Some of the vitreous gel form clumps or strips inside the eye. The gel retracts from the retina and is especially common for people who are myopic, have undergone cataract surgery, have had laser eye surgery or have had internal inflammation of the eye.

Having eye floaters, though an annoying experience, are mostly taken in the stride and people do not bother about them too much. They in any case fade away with time. Some people try to remove them surgically, but eye doctors do not undertake any surgical intervention till the problem starts affecting vision. For instance when the floaters are significant in number and accompanied by flashes or other visual disturbances, a detached retina or some other serious eye problem could be in the offing. It is best to consult an eye doctor immediately.

Eye floaters are not necessarily an elderly phenomenon. It can become a problem for younger people also, particularly when they are myopic. They also commonly occur after cataract operations or after eye trauma. In some cases, eye floaters may be congenital.