An eye floater is the dark, shadowed spot that floats through your vision. Most people have one or more floaters, and this does not necessarily indicate a problem or medical condition. As you adjust to a floater, you may forget the floater is in your vision. Some people who take medications such as diuretics may wonder if these medications may cause floaters, but diuretics do not have a role in floater prevention or treatment.
Cause
Vitreous humor is the substance that fills the back part of your eyeball. Floaters occur when the components of the vitreous break down, damaging the clear gel-like structure. This damage will draw elements of the vitreous together so that you have clumps mixed into the vitreous instead of complete clarity. These clumps are the floaters that you see in your vision. One other way for floaters to appear occurs if the vitreous shrinks or shifts, pulling on the retina, the back lining of your eye. This may cause a tear in the retina, which could lead to bleeding. The blood may form floaters in your vision.
Diuretics
A diuretic is a type of medication that helps your body get rid of excess sodium and water. Diuretics take water from your blood, reducing the amount of fluid in your blood vessels. These medications also increase the amount of sodium your kidneys release into your urine. Doctors may prescribe these medications as a treatment for high blood pressure, inflammation in tissues, heart failure and some kidney disorders. Diuretics come in different classifications, including thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing diuretics. Each type of medication affects a different part of your kidney function. These medications offer beneficial treatment for many conditions, but diuretics do not have any connection with preventing or treating floaters.
Side Effects
Diuretics may cause some side effects, but these medications do not have any connection with the formation of floaters in your vitreous. Side effects may include muscle cramps, rash, gastric upset, dizziness and joint pain. You may also experience increased thirst, headaches and high blood sugar levels. If you experience these or any other symptoms, contact your doctor. She may need to make adjustments to your medication dose or change the medications you take.
Considerations
New floaters in your vision, especially if you have many new floaters or a dark area in your vision, require prompt medical attention since this could indicate a retinal detachment. If you have a few floaters, your doctor will not recommend any treatment. Many floaters in your vision or a single, stationary floater that disrupts vision may require a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. An eye surgeon will remove the vitreous from your eye and replace this with a saline solution. This removes the floaters and should restore clarity.
