Eye floaters – those little spots, lines, or shapes that flow across your vision – aren’t usually a big deal. There’s a decent chance everyone will notice some on occasion and, while they can be incredibly annoying, they typically don’t signal a major problem.
However, there are times when eye floaters are a symptom of a serious condition, including some that could lead to substantial, permanent vision loss or other health complications. Figuring out whether you should be concerned isn’t always easy. If you’re trying to determine whether you need to see your eye doctor about floaters, here’s what you need to know.
What Can Cause Floaters?
There are a few potential causes of vision issues that a person may describe as floaters. Sometimes, debris drifting across the surface of the eye can have the appearance of a floater. This can occur directly on the eye as well as on contact lenses for those who wear them.
However, most commonly, floaters occur when the vitreous of the eye shrinks. The gel-like substance makes up about 80 percent of your eye, giving it a rounded shape. As a person ages, the vitreous shrinks and changes texture. As it becomes stringy, the strands might start to cast shadows that hit your retina, creating a floater’s appearance.
Over time, those floaters usually “settle,” causing them to no longer impede your vision. However, there can be other causes of floaters, including some that are potentially serious.
Serious Conditions That Cause Eye Floaters
Several eye conditions can lead to floaters aside from normal aging. First, infections and inflammation (uveitis) can both cause floaters. For example, pink eye (conjunctivitis) can lead to floaters. While it may seem like a common bacterial or viral infection, that doesn’t mean it can’t be serious. Without proper treatment, infections and inflammation can be harmful to your eyes, causing lasting damage.
Hemorrhaging (bleeding) in the eye may also lead to the appearance of floaters. While many eye bleeds are caused by small broken blood vessels, which can be harmless, it can also be very serious. For instance, hyphema, a form of bleeding in the eye, requires prompt treatment to ensure that pressure doesn’t build to dangerous levels.
At times, floaters may be a sign of retinal detachment. If the number of floaters increases quickly, that could indicate a retinal detachment in progress. If that occurs, or you see any of the other retinal detachment symptoms, you need to contact an eye doctor immediately. Left untreated, retinal detachments can cause significant permanent damage. With timely treatment, the damage may be reversible or, at least, minimized.
Ultimately, floaters can be the sign of something dangerous, which is why it’s wise to speak with your eye doctor if you notice an increase in floaters or have any other concerning symptoms. Our experienced ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians work diligently to keep our patients’ eyes healthy, including identifying causes of floaters and treating when necessary.
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If you would like to make sure your eyes are as healthy as possible, schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.
