Eye floaters are dark lines or shapes that appear in your field of vision. Floaters usually move about with eye movement and then float away when the movement stops. For most individuals, these are a normal occurrence and no treatment is required. However, floaters can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as a retinal detachment, that requires immediate medical attention.
Causes
Floaters are associated with several conditions of the eye. The most common is degeneration of the vitreous humor, a gel-like substance that occupies the space between the lens and retina in your eye. As we age, the center of the vitreous humor becomes more liquid in consistency. Tiny particles of the gel may remain and float in the liquid portion, thus appearing as "floaters". Sometimes, as the vitreous humor liquefies, it separates from the retina and causes a vitreous detachment. A retinal detachment is a more serious cause of floaters and occurs when the retina separates from its attachment to underlying eye tissues. Other potential causes include retinal hemorrhage, retinal tears, uveitis, infection and injury.
Risk Factors
Floaters can occur in people of all ages, but are more common in older individuals. Those with a history of diabetes or prior cataract surgery also have an increased risk. The greatest risk factor for a retinal detachment is myopia, or nearsightedness. According to a report published in 2009 in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," nearsighted individuals accounted for 67 percent of the cases of retinal detachment.
Considerations
A vitreous detachment and retinal detachment can present with similar symptoms including a sudden or gradual proliferation of floaters, flashes of light and changes in vision. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms so that he or she can accurately diagnose the condition.
Caution
See your doctor if you experience copious floaters that interfere with your vision. A surgery called a victrectomy may be required to extract the vitreous and floaters from the eye.
Warning
A retinal detachment is considered a serious medical emergency, therefore it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention. If not treated promptly, a retinal detachment can result in permanent vision defects or blindness within only two to three days, notes the National Eye Institute. Vitreous detachments normally require no treatment unless it leads to a retinal detachment or a macular hole.
