Many people have an occasional black spot pass through their vision. A few, periodic floaters do not usually mean a serious eye condition, though increasing amounts or other vision changes may indicate a problem. Knowing the causes of floaters in the eyes may help a person discuss the floaters and vision changes with an eye care professional and determine any necessary treatment.
Aging Vitreous
The eye keeps its shape with the help of the vitreous, a jelly-like liquid in the back of the eye. As the vitreous ages, it will have a change in its consistency which causes the jelly to pull away from the retina, the back lining of the eye, says MayoClinic.com. The bits of vitreous may clump together, and float through the visual area, causing black spots in the vision. Vitreous may also clump in long strands that people often mistake for a hair hanging in front of the eyes. Medications do not dissolve floaters, and doctors will often leave the floaters alone if the retina appears healthy. If many floaters fill the vision, or if a large floater permanently sits in the center of vision, an eye surgeon may perform a vitrectomy. This procedure removes the vitreous, replacing the jelly with fluid.
Retinal Detachment
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. This causes many new floaters to appear in the vision, often filling most of the vision. The person may also have a dark "curtain-like" area that blocks out vision, usually to the side, upper or lower parts of the visual field. Retinal detachments may result from trauma or medical conditions that may affect the retina, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. When these symptoms occur, the person must seek medical care immediately since a retinal detachment may cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Some medical conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, causes new blood vessels to grow on the retina. These new, unhealthy vessels may fill with blood and then break, causing blood to leak into the vitreous, and these bleeds may cause floaters in the vision. In order to treat the retinopathy, an eye surgeon will perform a laser procedure to stop the growth of these new blood vessels, says the National Eye Institute. The eye may absorb some of the blood in the vitreous, but if the bleeding caused significant floaters or cloudiness to the vitreous, the doctor may recommend a vitrectomy to clear the floaters and improve vision.
