Have you ever noticed little specks, dots, or cobweb-like shapes dancing across your vision, and no matter how many times you blink, they persist until fading away? These are called eye floaters, and pretty much everyone experiences them at some point in their lives, as they’re a natural part of aging. If you’re exploring vision correction treatments with hopes for crystal-clear vision, it’s natural to pay closer attention to any visual disturbances. So, you might be wondering, “When should I worry about eye floaters?” and the reassuring answer is: only in certain instances. Join us as we explain what floaters are, clarify when they’re typically normal, and outline when it’s a good idea to book an appointment with us at Brimhall Eye.
What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?
To understand eye floaters, it helps to know a little bit about the inside of your eye. Your eye’s main cavity is filled with a gel-like substance called vitreous humor, and as we age, this fluid can begin to liquefy and shrink. Tiny strands or clumps can form within this fluid, and when light passes through your eye, these shadows are cast onto your retina – the back of your eye responsible for vision. These shadows are what you perceive as eye floaters.
How Can I Identify Eye Floaters? 5 Common Characteristics
- Small dark specks or transparent strings float across your vision.
- Shapes that appear to drift when you move your eyes.
- Objects that seem to dart away when you try to look directly at them.
- More noticeable against bright backgrounds (e.g., white wall).
- May be more prevalent if your eye’s been injured or you’ve undergone eye surgery.
Are My Eye Floaters Normal?
For most individuals, eye floaters develop between 50-70 years of age, but you can see the occasional floater even if you’re younger than this. Everyday floaters are usually small, few in number, and while they may be annoying, they don’t usually interfere with your vision and tend to just drift in and out of sight. Here are a few signs that your eye floaters are normal and likely not cause for immediate worry:
- They’ve been around for a while. If you’ve had similar floaters for months or even years, and they haven’t drastically changed.
- They are small and few. You only notice a few wispy strands or dots occasionally.
- Your vision is still clear. Despite the floaters, your overall vision remains sharp and unimpaired.
In these cases, your brain often learns to ignore long-standing floaters, making them less noticeable over time. This natural adjustment process means you may eventually “see past” your eye floaters without the need for medical intervention.
When Should You Worry About Eye Floaters & Book In For Medical Care?
While most eye floaters are harmless and benign, there are certain instances that signal something more serious is going on, where scheduling an eye appointment is required for prompt care.
- There’s a sudden appearance of numerous new floaters.
- You’re experiencing flashes of light alongside eye floaters.
- You notice a shadow or curtain appearing or affecting your side vision (peripheral).
- New floaters after eye surgery or eye trauma.
- You’re experiencing noticeable vision loss at the same time as floaters.
- You associate eye pain, redness, or light sensitivity with your eye floaters.
- You’re post- cataract surgery and new floaters are popping up (rule out complications).
Be particularly attentive to changes in your floaters if you’re nearsighted, have had previous eye injuries, are above age 65+, or have a family history of diabetes or retinal detachment.
Listen To Your Eyes & Schedule an Exam at Brimhall Eye
At Brimhall Eye, we understand that eye floaters can be concerning, especially when you’re unsure if they’re normal or not for you. While usually harmless, it’s always best to be proactive about your eye health and get a definitive answer on whether you need floater removal treatment or not. If you’re experiencing changes in your vision, including new or worsening floaters, don’t hesitate to schedule a comprehensive eye examination with our expert team here in Las Vegas.
