Vitamin A can help eye health and night vision. Vitamins C and E may be helpful if you suffer from age-related macular degeneration. But if you're having problems with floaters, there's not much you can do but get used to living with them. Supplements have not been shown to have an impact on eye floaters.
Research
There has not been much research into the impact vitamins have on floaters, but leading professional organizations say there's no evidence supplements will help prevent or treat floaters. Dr. Robert N. Frank, a professor of ophthalmology at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, says researchers who have linked vitamins with some other age-related eye conditions did not include floaters in their studies. Dr. Stuart Richer, ocular nutrition researcher and a member of the American Optometric Association Health Promotion Committee, says vitamin C may theoretically be of use in treating floaters some day, but there's no scientific evidence backing the idea.
Causes
Floaters can form at any age when there's been some trauma to the eye, but they're most likely to appear in those over 50 as a natural part of the aging process. The eyeball gets its shape from a jelly-like fluid called vitreous gel, which fills the eye. As you age, that gel tends to start shrinking, forming clumps or strands of cells inside the eye. These clumps cast shadows on the retina that you see as the spots or strands known as floaters. Other risk factors include being nearsighted, having cataract or YAG laser surgery and inflammation in the eye.
Treatments
Vitamin and mineral supplements are not recommended for treating floaters, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary. Floaters are generally harmless and tend to fade or become less bothersome over time. Immediate treatment is necessary if you suffer a retinal tear. Symptoms include a sudden increase in the number of floaters, especially if they're accompanied by flashes of light or loss of peripheral vision. Surgery is rarely recommended to treat floaters themselves and can carry serious risks.
Tests
If you're worried about floaters, talk to your eye doctor. A doctor can determine whether your floaters are harmless like most or a sign that something more serious is going on. Your doctor will likely put pupil-dilating drops in your eyes to allow for a better examination of the eye. If the doctor determines you're suffering from a detached retina, surgery or laser treatment may be ordered. Even if you've had floaters for years, see a doctor if you notice a significant change.
References
- Dr. Stuart Richer, Ocular Nutrition Researcher and Member of the American Optometric Association Health Promotion Committee
- Dr. Robert N. Frank, Professor of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Optometric Association: Spots and Floaters
- American Academy of Opthalmology: What are Floaters and Flashes?
- MayoClinic.com: Eye Floaters
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