The Infernal “Floaters” In Our Eyes
Floaters are small spots, threads, lines or even cobwebs which float across our vison.
Floaters which disturb your vision intermittently often are harmless and don’t need treatment,
But sometimes floaters can be associated with some serious underlying eye conditions.
If you experience floaters which won’t go away than you need to see your eye doctor.
What are the symptoms of floaters?
You may experience floaters when looking at something bright, like a white back ground or wall, or the
blue sky.
Floaters tend to move with the eye movement, and when you halt eye movement they tend to drift
across your vision.
Who is at a risk of floaters?
Almost all people experience floaters as they age. Some people are at a higher risk to experience
floaters.
You are at a higher risk to experience floaters if you:
Had trauma related to eye
Are very near sighted
Have diabetes
Had cataract surgery
What are the causes for floaters?
Floaters usually appear due to normal ageing process in your eyes. Tiny strands appear in the vitreous
gel of your eye which cast a shadow on the light sensitive portion of your eye and are perceived as
floaters.
Worrisome Causes for floaters:
Eye injuries
Eye inflammation(uveitis)
Bleeding in the eye
Posterior vitreous detachment
The Infernal “Floaters” In Our Eyes
Floaters are small spots, threads, lines or even cobwebs which float across our vison.
Floaters which disturb your vision intermittently often are harmless and don’t need treatment,
But sometimes floaters can be associated with some serious underlying eye conditions.
If you experience floaters which won’t go away than you need to see your eye doctor.
What are the symptoms of floaters?
You may experience floaters when looking at something bright, like a white back ground or wall, or the
blue sky.
Floaters tend to move with the eye movement, and when you halt eye movement they tend to drift
across your vision.
Who is at a risk of floaters?
Almost all people experience floaters as they age. Some people are at a higher risk to experience
floaters.
You are at a higher risk to experience floaters if you:
Had trauma related to eye
Are very near sighted
Have diabetes
Had cataract surgery
What are the causes for floaters?
Floaters usually appear due to normal ageing process in your eyes. Tiny strands appear in the vitreous
gel of your eye which cast a shadow on the light sensitive portion of your eye and are perceived as
floaters.
Worrisome Causes for floaters:
Eye injuries
Eye inflammation(uveitis)
Bleeding in the eye
Posterior vitreous detachment Retinal tears
Retinal detachment
How will my eye doctor check for floaters?
Your eye doctor will check for floaters as part of a dilated fundus examination.
It is a routine examination and is not discomforting or painful
What is the treatment for floaters?
Floaters usually don’t require any treatment most of the times.
If floaters are due to the worrisome eye diseases as mentioned above, than your doctor will prescribe
medications or will advise surgery to clear the vitreous.
About the Author:
Dr Ali Zia is a Fellowship trained Vitreoretinal Surgeon. His areas of interest are Diabetic eye diseases,
Medical and Surgical Retina.
Dr. Ali Zia can be reached at The Eye Center. You can book an
appointment by contacting 03041119544. Walk in appointments and emergencies
will also be seen whenever possible. You can also request an appointment online
through our website www.surgicaleyecenter.org
What is the treatment for floaters?
Floaters usually don’t require any treatment most of the times.
If floaters are due to the worrisome eye diseases as mentioned above, than your doctor will prescribe
medications or will advise surgery to clear the vitreous.
About the Author:
Dr Ali Zia is a Fellowship trained Vitreoretinal Surgeon. His areas of interest are Diabetic Eye Diseases,
Medical and Surgical Retina.
Dr. Ali Zia can be reached at The Eye Center.- Dr. Mahnaz Naveed Shah & Associates. You can book an appointment by contacting 03041119544. Walk in appointments and emergencies will also be seen whenever possible. You can also request an appointment online through our website www.surgicaleyecenter.org