Floaters in Front of the Eyes

What are ‘floaters’?

Patients describe them in various ways – ‘floaters,’ ‘cobwebs,’ ‘dots,’ ‘strings’ that move with eye movement.

Most people have floaters that appear and disappear, often requiring no treatment. However, sometimes floaters can be a sign of a more serious eye condition. Therefore, if you notice new floaters that appear suddenly and do not disappear, it is important to inform your eye doctor.

What causes their appearance?

Floaters usually appear due to age-related changes in the eyes. As we age, small fibers in the vitreous (the gel-like fluid filling the eye) can clump together and cast shadows on the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye). These shadows are seen as floaters.
Sometimes floaters have more serious causes, including: eye infections, eye injuries, uveitis (inflammation of the eye), bleeding in the eye, vitreous detachment (when the vitreous detaches from the retina), retinal tears (when vitreous detachment tears the retina), retinal detachment (when the retina detaches from the back of the eye).

How is it diagnosed?

Most often, the patient starts complaining about their appearance in the visual field. To confirm their presence, pupil dilation is needed. This will blur vision for the next hour but is necessary for your specialist to examine the eye’s fundus for pathologies.

How is it treated?

The treatment for floaters depends on the cause. If floaters are caused by another eye condition, treatment for that condition may be necessary. If floaters are caused by aging and don’t bother you, treatment may not be required.
Sometimes, new floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment – when the retina tears or moves out of its normal position at the back of the eye, which is an urgent condition. Symptoms may include: many new floaters appearing suddenly, sometimes accompanied by flashes of light, a dark shadow (like a curtain), or blurry vision in your peripheral or central vision.

 Synonyms: Floating opacities, Black dots in front of the eyes, Vitreous degeneration