Eye floaters appear as tiny spots, specks and flecks that drift aimlessly around in a person's field of vision. Undissolved vitreous gel particles inside the eye cause floaters and floaters tend to occur more often as a person ages. Floaters come on gradually. They generally don't cause problems and many will fade over time. However, a sudden appearance of a significant number of floaters can indicate a serious eye problem.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment
According to AllAboutVision.com, the most common cause of eye floaters results from a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. Part of the eye between the lens and the retina contains a clear jelly called the aqueous humor. The vitreous gel occupies the space inside the back of the eye and the gel eventually attaches to the retina. The vitreous gel may shrink or liquefy more in the center as a person grows older. The central, more watery vitreous cannot support the weight of the heavier vitreous gel. The vitreous gel collapses into the central, liquefied vitreous. The vitreous gel may sag and separate from the surface of the retina. The vitreous separation causes tiny bits of the vitreous gel to float loose within the eye. The bits of vitreous gel reflect the light that passes through to the retina and the images they produce appear as shadows, or floaters.
Retinal Tear
A retinal tear occurs if the sagging vitreous gel pulls too strongly when it separates from the surface of the retina, states MayoClinic.com. The retinal tear looks like a small, jagged flap. The tears usually appear near the front of the retina, notes the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The only symptoms a retinal tear produces are flashes or floaters. Most retinal tears lead to a retinal detachment if left untreated.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment occurs as a result of a retinal tear, reports MayoClinic.com. The vitreous liquid leaks through a retinal tear and accumulates underneath the retina. As the fluid accumulates, the retinal detachment becomes larger. According to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, most people notice floaters and flashes because of the vitreous fluid accumulating near the retina. The detached area experiences a loss of blood flow and vision loss can occur in the affected eye if it's left untreated.
