Floaters Specialist

What are eye floaters?

Eye floaters are spots in your field of vision. They might appear as strings, cobwebs, or gray or black specks in your eye that drift around when you try to look at them. In some cases, floaters can indicate a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention. See your eye doctor if you have sudden increases in floaters or vision changes.

When do floaters indicate a serious problem?

Often eye floaters are simply a nuisance, but in some cases, they can signal a serious problem. See your doctor right away if you experience peripheral vision loss, flashes of light with floaters, or a sudden increase in floaters. These symptoms can indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness if left untreated.

What causes eye floaters?

Some common causes of eye floaters include:

• Normal age-related eye changes
• Eye inflammation 
• A torn or detached retina
• Bleeding in your eye
• Eye medications
• Some eye surgeries
  
  

Risk factors associated with developing floaters include eye trauma, nearsightedness, being over age 50, diabetic eye problems, and cataract surgery complications.

How are floaters diagnosed?

To diagnose eye floaters and develop a treatment plan, your eye doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a comprehensive dilated eye exam to view the back part of your eyes and determine the root cause of your floaters.

How are floaters treated?

If the cause of floaters doesn’t pose a risk to your vision, treatment isn’t necessary. However, if you have a lot of floaters that affect your vision or retinal damage, your provider might recommend:

Vitrectomy

Vitrectomy is surgery to remove vitreous gel in your eye and floating debris. Your eye doctor replaces the vitreous with a special solution to maintain your eye’s shape.

Laser treatments

Your provider can use a laser to break up floaters and make them less obvious. They review the risks and benefits of the procedure with you prior to treatment.

Treatment for retina problems

If a retinal tear or detachment is the underlying cause of floaters, your eye doctor might use a laser or cryopexy (freezing) to create scar tissue and repair the tear. In the case of retinal detachment, your provider might recommend injections or surgical procedures.

Don’t live with floaters if they negatively affect your vision or are linked with a retinal tear or detachment. Call to schedule an eye exam with the experts at Suburban Eye Associates today.