“What could be the cause of eye floaters?”
I have been experiencing floaters and flashes in my vision. What could be the cause?
3 Answers
Lasik/RefractiveNearVisionSurgeryOphthalmologist
Hi:) We all have a ball of jelly in the back of the eye (the vitreous). Sometimes pieces of this jelly can break off & float. We don't always know why this happens - sometimes it can happen for no apparent reason.
But sometimes, it can occur if you strained yourself in some way- ie lifting a heavy item, or coughing & sneezing too hard, or even having a strained bowel movement.
Most of the time, floaters will become less noticeable over time, but you may always notice them when looking at a pale background like a white wall, or the sky.
The one risk to be aware of with floaters, is that in some rare cases, it can lead to a tear in the retina ( the lining of the back of the eye). This risk is most prevalent during the first 4-6 weeks after a floater first forms, but then the risk decreases over time. So if you've had floaters for a while, ie a few months or longer, then your risk will be much lower for a tear, compared to when you first noticed the floater.
Here are some signs & symptoms of a retina tear to watch for, in case you experience it :
1.)Flashing lights that don't go away
2.)A dark curtain that comes over your vision
3.)A burst of floating spots that are much greater in number than what you've experienced before.
If you experience these symptoms, contact your local eyecare professional - either an optometrist or ophthalmologist- so they can examine you for a tear. The sooner a tear is found, the easier it is to be treated, & the greater chance your vision can be protected.
But sometimes, it can occur if you strained yourself in some way- ie lifting a heavy item, or coughing & sneezing too hard, or even having a strained bowel movement.
Most of the time, floaters will become less noticeable over time, but you may always notice them when looking at a pale background like a white wall, or the sky.
The one risk to be aware of with floaters, is that in some rare cases, it can lead to a tear in the retina ( the lining of the back of the eye). This risk is most prevalent during the first 4-6 weeks after a floater first forms, but then the risk decreases over time. So if you've had floaters for a while, ie a few months or longer, then your risk will be much lower for a tear, compared to when you first noticed the floater.
Here are some signs & symptoms of a retina tear to watch for, in case you experience it :
1.)Flashing lights that don't go away
2.)A dark curtain that comes over your vision
3.)A burst of floating spots that are much greater in number than what you've experienced before.
If you experience these symptoms, contact your local eyecare professional - either an optometrist or ophthalmologist- so they can examine you for a tear. The sooner a tear is found, the easier it is to be treated, & the greater chance your vision can be protected.
Vitreous separation,retinal tears,early retinal detachment. GET CHECKED IMMEDIATELY!!!
Jason Randall Smith
Optometrist
Under most circumstances, floaters are found in the vitreous, a jelly-like part of the eye that can be caused by vitreous tears, vitreous detachments, retinal tears, or retinal detachments. Sometimes these floaters (debris) are a normal part of the vitreous. But, if you have been noticing new floaters and flashes, I would strongly suggest that you see an eye doctor in order to have your eyes checked and to have them dilated. The flashes of light are a neurological sensation where the retina or vitreous are affected. As we age the vitreous changes from a more jelly-like material to a more "watery" substance. As a result, the vitreous can pull, tug, or tear. And sometimes, this pulling, tugging, or tearing can involve your retina, what I call the film of your eye, (camera). This involvement can occur to anyone at any time, but people who are nearsighted, especially highly nearsighted are more at risk. So again, make an appointment with an eye doctor ASAP. Good luck and best wishes.
