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.
A large number of floaters can signal a hole or tear in the retina, which can lead to retinal detachment. Because there is no way to assess the extent of damage based on symptoms alone, the only way to know for sure is to see an ophthalmologist.
Eye floaters are common, and they might be a nuisance, but they're usually not anything to worry about. If you have a lot of floaters that appear suddenly, or other eye symptoms along with eye floaters, seek medical care right away.
This often happens as you age and it's very normal. However, if you start to notice a lot more floaters than you've experienced in the past or many flashes, you should call your doctor. This could be a sign of a serious vision problem like a detached retina. If you have a detached or torn retina, you'll need treatment.
Eye floaters do not usually require treatment, as they themselves do not cause any harm to the sight. However, in some cases, eye floaters may make it difficult to see and will require removal to restore sight. Eye floaters may also be an early sign of an underlying issue, such as damage to the retina.
Eye Floaters & Kids
Eye floaters are more common in adults but can also occur in children. Occasional floaters are usually harmless and will come and go. The cause for concern can arrive if multiple floaters or floaters are accompanied by flashing lights, this can signal a retinal tear or inflammation inside the eye.
Most eye floaters don't require treatment. However, any medical condition that is the cause of eye floaters, such as bleeding from diabetes or inflammation, should be treated. Eye floaters can be frustrating and adjusting to them can take time.
There are no natural, at-home treatments that are capable of entirely doing away with floaters. If the issue is severe and persistent, surgery may be needed.
Floaters can be harmless and a normal sign of aging. However, if they increase or appear with light flashes or any vision loss, call your healthcare provider since it could indicate something more serious.
If you experience a sudden onset of floaters, if they are accompanied by flashes of light or vision loss, if you have pain or you have just experienced eye surgery or trauma, floaters could indicate a serious eye problem that requires immediate medical attention.
As long as eye floaters are not impairing your vision and are just a nuisance, you have no need to be concerned. However, if eye floaters are brought on suddenly accompanied by flashes of light, blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, and an increase in the number of floaters, seek immediate medical attention.
Heier recommends only two approaches to dealing with floaters: ignore them, or in extreme cases, have surgery. In the surgery, called vitrectomy, a surgeon removes the gel — along with its floaters — from the back of the eye. It's effective, but it has risks, including cataracts (cloudy lenses) and retinal detachment.
Get an urgent optician appointment if: floaters or flashes appear suddenly. floaters or flashes suddenly increase in number. you have a dark "curtain" or shadow moving across your vision.
“Floaters can be distressing for some,” he said. He tells people to wait three months after having an examination to be sure they're safe. “That's about how long it takes the brain to adjust.” Once the brain gets used to the presence of floaters, they are typically not as annoying and don't affect your vision.
Most people have floaters that come and go, and they often don't need treatment. But sometimes floaters can be a sign of a more serious eye condition. So if you notice new floaters that appear suddenly and don't go away, it's important to tell your eye doctor.
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."
There are no eye drops, medications, vitamins or diets that will reduce or eliminate floaters once they have formed. It's important to continue your annual eye exam, so your eye doctor can identify any eye health issues that may arise.
In some cases, underlying conditions such as a torn retina or diabetic retinopathy can cause eye floaters to feel more apparent or longer lasting. Floaters can also be triggered by migraines, eye bleeding and recent eye surgery — all of which can intensify the condition.
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.
Eye floaters are a result of eye fatigue. A prolonged lack of sleep puts stress on your eyes which is one of the initial symptoms and can lead to eye floaters. Hence, it's important to relax your eyes and take enough rest & sleep in order to heal.
Floaters are totally normal. As they form, they pass in front of your “macula”, which is how you see them. As time goes on, older floaters will settle to the bottom of your vitreous and you will no longer notice them.
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.