Ever looked at a bright blue sky and noticed a translucent squiggle drifting across your field of vision? You blink, you look around, and it follows. That’s an eye floater. While floaters are often harmless, they can sometimes point to something more serious, especially if they appear suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light.
Our optometrists at Oconomowoc Vision Clinic are trained to diagnose, monitor, and treat eye floaters, and to help you understand when they’re normal, and when they’re not.
What Causes Floaters in the Eye?
Floaters are tiny clumps of collagen that form inside the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance that fills most of the eye. As we age, this gel begins to shrink and pull away from the retina, making these small clumps visible as floaters. Here are some common causes:
- Aging: Most floaters are age-related and harmless.
- Eye injuries: Trauma can lead to floaters and, in rare cases, retinal damage.
- Eye surgeries: Procedures such as cataract surgery may increase the risk of floaters.
- Inflammation: Eye conditions such as uveitis can cause floaters.
- Bleeding in the eye: Broken blood vessels from injury or diabetes may be a cause.
- Retinal detachment: A serious condition that needs immediate medical attention.
Sudden floaters in one eye or an increase in size or number may be a sign of something more urgent, such as a retinal tear or detachment. If that happens, don’t wait; contact our eye doctor immediately.
What Do Eye Floaters Look Like?
Eye floaters can take many forms, and they often shift when you try to focus on them. Patients in Oconomowoc, Watertown, and Waukesha have described them as:
- Gray or black specks
- Thread-like strands or squiggly lines
- Cobweb-like shadows
- Transparent or cloudy shapes that drift when your eyes move
They’re often easiest to see when looking at a bright background, such as a computer screen, a white wall, or a clear sky. While floaters might seem bothersome at first, many people report that they fade or become less noticeable over time.
Types of Eye Floaters
Not all floaters are the same. In fact, they can offer clues about what’s happening inside your eye. Here are six common types:
Fibrillar Floaters
These are the most common types of eye floater: thin, thread-like strands that drift slowly across your vision, often caused by normal aging of the vitreous.
Weiss Ring Floaters
Circular or semi-circular floaters that appear when the vitreous pulls away from the optic nerve. Often seen in people over 60.
Diffuse Cloud-Like Floaters
These look like hazy clouds or smoke in the eye. It can result from inflammation or past eye injuries.
Red or Dark Floaters
Often linked to bleeding inside the eye. This can happen after eye surgery or due to diabetic eye conditions.
Multiple Specks
Clusters of tiny black dots. It can be harmless or a sign of trauma or a retinal tear.
Floaters with Flashes
When flashes of light accompany floaters, it may signal the vitreous tugging on the retina, which could lead to retinal detachment if not monitored.
Floaters and Flashes: When to See an Eye Doctor
It’s not always easy to tell whether your floaters are harmless or a red flag. Here’s when you should reach out to Oconomowoc Vision Clinic:
- You suddenly notice more floaters than usual
- You see bright flashes of light in one or both eyes
- You notice a shadow or dark curtain over your vision
- Your floaters come on after a head or eye injury
- You recently had cataract surgery or other eye procedures
If you live in Oconomowoc, Watertown, or Waukesha, you can schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our experienced eye care team. We use advanced diagnostic tools to detect retinal tears, signs of vitreous detachment, and other eye conditions that may affect your vision.
From Flashes to Floaters: Get Answers from Oconomowoc Vision Clinic
Your eyesight is too important to ignore, especially when new floaters or flashes appear. At Oconomowoc Vision Clinic, our eye doctors provide trusted, personalized care for patients across Oconomowoc, Watertown, and Waukesha.
Whether you’re dealing with floaters, managing a chronic condition like diabetes, or simply due for your next eye exam, book your appointment with us. Our team will take the time to answer your questions, explain your options, and make sure you feel confident in your care.
Eye Floater FAQs
Are eye floaters normal?
Yes, most floaters are a natural part of aging. However, sudden floaters, especially with flashes of light, may indicate a serious issue like retinal detachment.
Can eye drops for floaters help?
Over-the-counter eye drops won’t eliminate floaters but can reduce eye irritation, which may make floaters less noticeable.
Will eye floaters go away on their own?
In many cases, yes. Floaters may settle out of your field of vision or become less noticeable over time. Persistent or bothersome floaters should be evaluated by our eye doctor.