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.
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.
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.
In most cases, eye floaters are simply a common and normal part of the aging process, but they can be caused by an eye injury, infection, inflammation, or retinal tear.
Eye floaters are very common. As a matter of fact, 7 out of 10 people will experience them at some time in their lives. Eye floaters are an ordinary part of the aging process because the clear substance inside the eye (vitreous gel) changes with age. When the vitreous gel shrinks or thickens, particles form in the gel.
If you've ever noticed shadows or dark spots floating across your field of vision, you are not alone. In most cases, these “floaters” cause no harm and are common, especially as you age. However, if you experience a sudden increase in eye floaters, you should seek immediate medical attention.
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.
For many people, floaters are a part of the natural aging process. They can be annoying at first, but you'll notice them less after some time. You might think they've gone away, but that's not true. Floaters are permanent and stay in your eye.
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.
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.
They are actually quite a common experience, especially around 30-40 years of age.
Blinking often causes them to disappear but if you still notice them, eye floaters are usually harmless. Eye floaters are a normal part of aging and can affect both eyes but usually begin in one eye at a time. They occur when the vitreous gel, the clear substance that coats the eye, changes due to age.
Floaters can vary in size, shape, and severity. The time it takes for them to disappear can also vary. 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.
Is it normal to see eye floaters when your eyes are closed? Yes, that can be normal. The normal vitreous cavity and the corneal tear film can all cause floaters in a closed eye but they are harder to see generally.
As a part of the eye's normal aging process, almost everyone will eventually develop floaters in their vision. They are especially common after age 35, though some might see floaters at a younger age.
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.
Probably not! However, if you see floaters all the time and, worse yet, they begin to interfere with your vision, then it's time to schedule an appointment with us. As we always say; any major change in your vision is worth a visit.
The floaters often subside starting within a few days, and all but a few settle to the bottom of the eye and disappear within a 6-month period. Some residual floaters can be seen for life.
Though stress doesn't cause floaters, it can lead to heightened awareness of tiny spots floating in your field of vision.
The shadows they cast on your retina are floaters. If you see a flash, it's because the vitreous has pulled away from the retina. If the floaters are new or dramatically changed or you suddenly start seeing flashes, see your eye doctor ASAP. These changes can happen at any age, but usually occur between 50 and 75.
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.
Eye floaters can appear anytime, but often become more noticeable after an anxious or stressful episode. However, they can appear anytime and without an apparent cause, as well.
Rare causes of floaters include intraocular tumors (eg, lymphoma) and vitritis (inflammation of the vitreous). Intraocular foreign bodies can cause floaters but usually manifest with other symptoms, such as loss of vision, eye pain, or redness.