Does everyone have floaters? No, but they are very common and are more likely to occur with age. Vitreous gel liquefies with age, causing spots of condensation within the gel. Those become the floaters that we see.
In most cases, eye floaters are a normal and common part of the aging process. As you get older, the fluid within your eyes (vitreous) shrinks. This is normal and doesn't mean that your eyes aren't healthy. It's important to maintain regular eye exams over time, especially if you're experiencing chronic floaters.
Almost everyone develops floaters as they get older, but some people are at higher risk. You're at higher risk if you: Are very nearsighted.
People who need glasses to see distance, called being nearsighted, are more likely to get floaters. They also are more common in adults older than 50, as well as in people who've experienced eye trauma or inflammation inside the eye. The presence of a few long-standing floaters usually is not a cause for concern.
Who gets floaters? Most people see floaters some time during their lives. Many individuals notice some floaters even in their teens and 20s, and people who are nearsighted are particularly likely to have floaters at a younger age. Floaters tend to become more frequent as a person ages.
Typically, eye floaters are a natural result of our eyes aging. Anyone can experience eye floaters at some point in their life, and most of the time they can be easily ignored. They are actually quite a common experience, especially around 30-40 years of age.
Do Floaters Ever Go Away? When the vitreous detachment is clean and gradual, any increase in eye floaters usually subsides in one to six months. An occasional floater may appear now and then, but knowing they are harmless, most people learn to live with them.
For many, floaters may begin showing up between 50 and 70 years old. "Vitreous degeneration is accelerated by nearsightedness (myopia), inflammation, trauma and rare inherited abnormalities," adds Dr. Worrall. "Highly nearsighted patients tend to have more floaters than average."
If you've had floaters for years and nothing has changed, you probably don't need to see your eye doctor specifically about them, given that you checked out fine during your last exam. Sometimes, though, floaters are cause for concern.
If you notice a sudden increase in eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see light flashes or lose your vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention.
Eye floaters are surprisingly common, affecting about 7 out of 10 people. They can show up at any time but for a lot of people they become noticeable after looking at something bright, such as the sun. Blinking often causes them to disappear but if you still notice them, eye floaters are usually harmless.
In most cases eye floaters will settle by themselves within a few weeks or months, or you simply get used to them. If floaters are affecting your vision, you might consider surgery or laser therapy. But both options come with risks and are usually only performed in serious cases.
The first line of treatment for floaters has been, and still is, to live with them. Once you have your retina checked and there is nothing wrong there, the floaters themselves are harmless and will not lead to any further deterioration of your vision, which is why, if at all possible, you should just live with them.
These floaters are more common for people with short-sightedness, also known as myopia, and become increasingly common as people get into their late-20s and 30s. However, if someone develops a lot of eye floaters very suddenly, this could be a sign of retinal detachment and should be addressed right away.
It's not uncommon for adults in their 40s and 50s to occasionally see floating specks or “hairs” in their visual field. These are usually harmless particles floating within the fluid of our eyeball and are a natural part of aging.
Eye floaters are a normal part of the aging process. The American Society of Retina Specialists note that conditions such as vitreous detachment, which causes more floaters, are more common after the age of 60. Everyone can get eye floaters at some point, though most people ignore them.
In most cases floaters will decrease in size daily until they disappear. Depending on the initial size, it can take some floaters anywhere from one to six months to disappear. However, some may never disappear completely.
It usually takes about a month, but sometimes it can take up to six months. Floaters will gradually get smaller and less noticeable as the weeks and months go by, but usually they never disappear completely.
It is estimated that around 30 percent of the population notice eye floaters, yet the impact of this common visual problem on our quality of life remains hugely underestimated. Though floaters may be irritating, they generally become less noticeable overtime, and they should not interfere with your clarity of vision.
Certain factors make it more likely to develop floaters and flashes: Being nearsighted (myopia) Undergoing cataract surgery. Developing eye inflammation (uveitis)
“If you have floaters plus flashes and a loss of side vision, it's an urgent matter and you need to see an eye specialist or go to the emergency room immediately,” Dr. Newman said.
Eye floater treatments
If you're living with persistent eye floaters, there are some steps you can take to help calm the symptoms. Massaging your temples or eye exercises: by generating heat or doing eye exercises like moving your eyes in circles, you may be able to stave off some stubborn floaters.
Taking frequent breaks and limiting screen time can reduce your risk of digital eye strain, a condition that may increase your awareness of floaters. Certain lighting can make you more aware of floaters as well. Be sure to dim indoor lights when they are too bright for your eyes or use lamps instead of overheads.
Prolonged screentime can stress the eyes through the effects of bright or blue light, but it will not produce more eye floaters. However, floaters may be more noticeable when staring at a bright screen or background.