If you’ve ever noticed tiny specks, squiggly lines, cobweb-like shapes, or shadowy dots drifting across your vision—especially against a bright sky or white wall—you’re not alone. These visual disturbances are known as eye floaters, and while they’re often harmless, they can sometimes signal a more serious eye condition.
The image illustrates exactly what many people describe: faint, transparent shapes floating in the field of vision, alongside a close-up of an eye to emphasize that the issue originates inside the eye, not on its surface.
So what causes floaters, and when should you be concerned? Here’s what eye doctors want you to know.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are tiny clumps of collagen fibers or cells that form inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like substance filling the inside of your eye. As light enters the eye, these particles cast shadows on the retina, which your brain interprets as moving spots or strands.
They may appear as:
- Dots or circles
- Curved lines or threads
- Cobweb or worm-like shapes
- Grey or transparent shadows
Floaters often drift when you move your eyes and seem to dart away when you try to look directly at them.
Why Do Floaters Appear?
1. Natural Aging Process
The most common cause is aging. As we get older, the vitreous gel slowly shrinks and becomes more liquid, causing collagen fibers to clump together.
2. Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
This happens when the vitreous pulls away from the retina. It’s common after age 50 and usually harmless—but it should still be evaluated.
3. Eye Injury or Trauma
A blow to the eye can disrupt the vitreous and create floaters.
4. Eye Inflammation (Uveitis)
Inflammation inside the eye can release debris that appears as floaters.
5. Eye Surgery or Laser Treatment
Certain procedures may temporarily increase floaters.
When Are Floaters a Medical Emergency?
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