- Am I At Risk For Floaters Eye?
- What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?
- How Harmful Are Eye Floater?
- When To Call Your Doctor
- Preventative Cure for Eye Floaters
Am I At Risk For Floaters Eye?
“Floaters Eye” is more common than most people think. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI) floaters seem to be a normative part of the aging process. About 50% of people over the age of 70 report seeing eye floaters and it is not uncommon for floaters to occur in anyone over the age of 40. Floaters are also more common in people who fit into one or more of the categories listed below:- Diabetics
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Pregnant women
- Cataract surgery patients
What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?
Sometimes floaters are caused by broken blood vessels in the eye sustained from an injury, but the most common eye floater causes are a normal part of the aging process. Protein floaters in eye are usually caused by tiny bits of solid tissue that collect in the Vitreous Gel of the eye. Approximately 80% of the eyes volume is vitreous gel. The vitreous gel is the thick clear fluid that fills the eyeball. When we are young the vitreous is a firm, almost solid, gelatinous substance. As we age, the vitreous turns to liquid. The process of the vitreous transitioning from a solid like gel into a more liquid form is called Syneresis. During the syneresis process, some of the more solid vitreous tissue or “floaters” cast a shadow on the retina as they pass by. Although the floaters are actually clear, it is the shadow that gives them the appearance of being dark. They are experienced as dark specks, cobwebs, globs, strings, dots, clusters or specks.How Harmful Are Eye Floater?
Floaters in the eye can be annoying and distracting; they usually are not a sign of more serious eye problems. Although most floaters will disappear after a while, in reality they don’t actually go away. What happens is that you simply get used to them and your brain filters them out. It is very much like what happens to our sense of smell when you put on cologne or perfume. When you first put it on it is very noticeable. As you wear it, you get used to the smell and it barley registers to you at all, although other people can easily pick up the aroma.In rare cases, eye floaters can be a sign of more serious problems related to your eye health such as a vitreous hemorrhage (retinal bleeding), carotid artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, and a retinal detachment or tear. If you experience any of the following symptoms call your physician and schedule an examination immediately.
When To Call Your Doctor
- Decreased or impaired vision due to floaters
- Sudden appearance of black dots that block vision
- A large number of “big” floaters
- An rapid increase in the amount of floaters over a period of minutes or hours
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Headaches or pain followed by the appearance of floaters
- A blow to the head followed by an increase in the amount of floaters