On a bright, sunny day, you may notice a small worm-like object in your vision. It can vary in the size, shape, and speed in which it moves and it may have always been there or only recently noticed.
This may be a floater in your vision. The article below dives into what a floater is, what could have caused it, and which situations you should seek medical attention with one of our optometrists.
What Is an Eye Floater?
To explain what a floater is, we must first discuss the vitreous humour. The vitreous is a jelly-like substance that fills up the majority of the space within the eye, helping to provide the spherical shape.
The fluid is mostly made of water (99 %) but also has salts, proteins, collagen, cells, and hyaluronic acid. It is transparent, so that light can enter and hit the nerves and photosensitive cells at the back of the eye without disruption.
As an individual ages, the fibers within the vitreous coalesce together, causing the jelly-like substance to become more liquid. This process can lead to a posterior vitreous detachment, in which the vitreous separates from the back of the eye.
The aggregation of the fibers or cells can cause a floater, as the clump created can cast a shadow on the nerve layer that sits behind.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
As described above, floaters can be caused by aging and the process of liquefaction of the vitreous. This is a natural occurrence and is benign, meaning that in most cases, no subsequent issues will arise.
If the floaters have been there for a long time (i.e. years), they will not require medical attention.
However, during a posterior vitreous detachment event, during which the individual may also notice flashes of light in their vision, visiting our optometrist can be beneficial. This is due to the fact that the shrinking of the vitreous can pull on the nerve layer and cause a tear or detachment, leading to possible vision loss.
Although rare, our optometrist can take a look at the back of the eye and ensure that the process is completed smoothly. After the initial onset of flashing lights, the highest risk of retinal detachment will be within the next six weeks.
Trauma can also be a cause of floaters, as it can also lead to retinal detachments or posterior vitreous detachments. This can include blunt trauma, puncture wounds, or other injuries, even if not directly aimed at the eye.
In these cases, it is important to visit our optometrist as early as possible to rule out other conditions that may be associated with the trauma as other ocular structures may have been damaged.
Are There Any Treatments For Eye Floaters?
Treatment for floaters is not necessary and often not recommended. They are often benign findings and can be adapted to, meaning that the brain learns to tune them out.
They are most noticeable when looking at a white background or on a sunny day. In some cases, a vitrectomy can be performed, which means the removal of the vitreous within the eye, but they are rarely completed simply for removing a floater.