Written by True Eye Experts
Eye floaters are clumps of protein floating inside your eyes that cast shadows on your retina. These shadows cause small dark spots to appear in your vision, which is known as floaters. They are extremely common, and many people of all ages will experience floaters in their lifetime.
Floaters are generally caused by the shrinking of your vitreous, the jelly-like substance in your eye that helps it keep its round shape. The vitreous will tug at the retina and release more material that can form floaters. As you age, the vitreous also tends to become stringy and break down, leading to the protein fibers that make it up to clump together and develop into floaters.
While anyone can experience floaters, there are certain circumstances that make you more susceptible to developing them. These include:
In rare cases, floaters can be caused by more serious eye trauma, such as infection, inflammation, hemorrhaging, retinal tears, or eye injury. If this happens, you should see an eye doctor right away for emergency treatment.
Floaters are normal and usually not dangerous. However, they can sometimes be a symptom of a more severe eye problem. It is always best to inform your eye doctor if you do see eye floaters and let them know of any sudden changes affecting your vision.
Signs that your eye floaters may be an indicator of a more severe problem include:
These can be signs of a posterior vitreous detachment or PVD, where the vitreous separates from the eye. This serious eye condition can lead to retinal detachment and possible vision loss, so requires emergency treatment. Alert your eye doctor right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Most eye floaters will simply settle below your line of vision and cause no harm. Nevertheless, since they can be an indication of a larger eye problem, you should always inform your optometrist about their presence and if any changes occur to your vision. True Eye Experts will evaluate your eye floaters to ensure they are not a sign of a more serious condition. Come see our Trinity and New Tampa Eye Doctors today to protect your vision!
Our mission at True Eye Experts is simple — provide the best possible care to our patients. We make sure we’re doing this a few different ways. Our V-Eye-P Exam is one of the most comprehensive eye exams in the industry. We use state-of-the-art medical technology to screen, diagnose, and treat more conditions than most other providers in the area. We have an extensive collection of designer eyewear that can complement any patient’s face, style, and budget, and our advanced contact lens fitting process can help even “hard-to-fit” patients wear contacts comfortably. Book an appointment online at one of our True Eye Experts locations, conveniently located throughout Central Florida. Have questions or prefer to book over the phone? Give us a call today.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Symptoms, Treatment & More
Ortho-K Treats Child Myopia
"I have been getting my eyes checked by Dr. Samuel Teske for years. He is very thorough and thoughtful. The staff is also very professional and attentive. Highly recommend True Eye Experts!"
Everyone at this office is very friendly, helpful, and professional, whether it's helping you buy new frames, being fitted for glasses, or just interacting at the front desk. If something is wrong with my glasses, they are quick to remedy the situation. I would highly recommend this office for all your eye care needs!"
"Dr. Randich is personable and thorough. She spends time educating her patients with warmth and genuine concern. Staff is always friendly, helpful, and quick!"
"Staff was very professional, and the eye exam used the latest technologies. Very impressed with all that was done to check my eyes. Great experience!"
I had an emergency and needed to be seen as soon as possible. They fit me in right away and got my injury addressed and on the road to recovery! The staff is so professional and caring! Everyone had a smile on their faces & was welcoming. Thank you so very much for everything! – Kristen L.
