Vitreous or eye floaters can cause some serious damage to your vision. These are spots or thread-like specks that occur within your field of vision. You might see them as black or gray, and when you move your eyes, they drift back and forth.
They occur when the vitreous, a clear gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eye, begins to break down. As it does, small clumps or fibers form within it. These clumps cast shadows on your retina, which you perceive as floaters. As per a survey, 76% of people have floaters. And if you’ve seen them in your eyes too, this article will be helpful.
In today’s post, we’ll discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options to avoid serious harm from these pesky floaters.
What are the causes for the vitreous floaters?
Vitreous floaters occur due to different health or age-related reasons that are:
Aging
The vitreous, a jelly-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina and is also called the vitreous humor.
As you age, due to wear and tear, the vitreous loses its slimy texture and liquifies which causes it to drift apart from your eye surface.
The vitreous collagen fibers scatter around your eyes and obstruct the rays from passing causing the vitreous floaters.
Bleeding
Any internal bleeding into the vitreous can cause floaters. There are multiple reasons for this bleeding including retinal tears, high blood pressure, injury, and diabetes. Blocked blood vessels, surgery, etc. This phenomenon is also called vitreous hemorrhage.
Retina problems
When vitreous fibers attach themselves to the retina with force enough to tug and tear them, it leads to retinal detachment. If not treated, it leads to significant loss of vision in the long run. If the fluid seeps into the back, your retina can detach and lead to permanent blindness as well.
Symptoms of vitreous floaters
Eye floaters, as the name suggests, are fibers around your eyes that interfere with your field of vision.
The common symptoms of these are:
- Black or gray spots
- Squiggly worm-like threads
- Blobs
- Rings
Remember, they are common and you cannot prevent their formation.
What are the treatments for vitreous floaters?
Eye floaters are a common part and harmless in most cases. They normally get away from your field of vision with time. Since they occur naturally, there’s no treatment needed. However, if it is associated with any tears or breaks, you can get it treated with a laser surgery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vitreous floaters are a common ocular condition that most people experience at some point in their lives. While often benign, they can occasionally signal more serious underlying issues such as retinal detachment or tears, especially when accompanied by flashes of light or a sudden increase in their number.
Visit an eye hospital immediately, if you face any of the serious side effects due to the presence of floaters.