Eye Problems and Diseases

- Understanding Floaters and Spots

As an eye problem, floaters and spots are generally harmless. In many cases, these phenomena have always been around. For others, they can represent an irritation, however.

Floaters and spots are bits of protein that break away and float around the clear, gel-like fluid in the eyes. Because they are broken up bits of protein, no two floaters or spots are the same in shape or size.

They can have ragged edges, or appear as tiny threads or cobwebs. They can appear as black or white flecks, and they sometimes appear as flashes of light.

Floaters and spots tend to be more noticeable when a person looks at a brightly-colored background, such as a wall or the sky, or an image that does not have a pattern.

People 'see' floaters and spots because the gel-like substances create shadows on the retina. It's usually not possible to focus on floaters and spots because they move around in sync with the eye's movements.

Symptoms of Floaters and Spots

There are no 'symptoms' of floaters and spots because they are not classified as a disease, or even an eye 'problem'. They can slightly affect a person's vision, but not significantly enough to be considered a problem.

Who is prone to floaters and spots?

Floaters and spots are not an indication of more serious problems, in most cases. And anyone can get them.

However, they do seem to increase with age. Particularly after the age of 40, as the vitreous fluid in the eye starts to deteriorate. Their presence can also increase as a result of an eye inflammation or injury or the presence of an eye disease. Floaters and spots are more noticeable for people who are nearsighted or have previously undergone surgery for cataracts.

Early detection/treatment

Routine eye examinations are the best way to determine whether floaters and spots are harmless or whether they indicate a more serious problem with the eyes. It is rare that they represent something of a more serious nature, however.

An eye doctor has many tools for testing and examining the eyes. When a patient believes that the floaters and spots are affecting their vision, it's important to let the eye doctorknow. It is helpful to be able to describe the ways in which one's vision is being affected. In this way, the eye doctor can explore whether other eye diseases and problems such as cataracts, glaucoma or a detached retina, is the cause.

There are no treatments for floaters and spots because their appearance is completely natural.