Small spots or lines that drift across your field of vision, this can sometimes come in the form of a couple or a shower.
Floaters are small specks or particles that float in the vitreous gel inside the eye in your field of vision. The symptoms of floaters may include:
While floaters are a common occurrence and are often harmless, they can be a sign of a more serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage. If you suddenly experience a significant increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain-like shadow in your vision, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to rule out any serious retinal issues.
Floaters normally happen because of normal changes in your eye. As you age, tiny strands of vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills your eye) sticks together and casts shadows on your retina (the light sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. These shadows appear as floaters.
Floaters usually appear when this gel begins to degrade. When we are young, the vitreous is closely attached to the retina, but as we age it begins to break down and may become detached. This is called posterior vitreous detachment and can lead to a greater number of floaters appearing in the field of vision.
Eye floaters can be a nuisance and may eventually make it difficult to see clearly. In some cases, surgery can be used to remove floaters from your vision.
