“Are eye floaters a serious concern?”
I am a 24-year-old male and I see eye floaters in my field of vision. Are eye floaters a serious concern?
14 Answers
Floaters and flashes can be signs of a serious condition like a detached retina. A complete ophthalmologic exam with a dilated fundus examination should be performed.
Eye floaters should not be ignored. A dilated eye exam is needed to rule out underlying pathology such as retinal tears, hemorrhage or inflammation as in the case of uveitis
They can be. Get a full dilated eye examination.
Floaters are a normal phenomenon as you age, however, at 24 years old, it could be a sign of ocular disease especially if associated with cloudy vision, discomfort or flashing lights. We recommend that you undergo an ophthalmologic examination to evaluate your eye health.
New onset of many floaters or string like floaters can be the sign of the vitreous gel shrinking and pulling away from the retina in the back of the eye. We worry in the process that the retina may be torn (resulting in a detachment), so if these are numerous and stringlike, or associated with tractional flashes (lightning like) then you should see a retina specialist immediately.
Floaters can be a sign of vitreous, which is the jelly in back of your eye that liquefies over time. Earlier in nearsighted people.Your need to have a dilated eye exam to make sure you do not have a retinal year or detachment that needs to be treated.
New or increased floaters should be checked as soon as possible by your ophthalmologist.
Most of the time, they are not. However, new ones should be checked as they could herald significance re retinal tears or other pathology.
Dr. LMJ
Dr. LMJ
Usually not, but they can be a symptom of a retinal break, so you should see an ophthalmologist.
SO
SO
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-floaters-flashes
Frank Cao
Frank Cao
Eye floaters are always a concern, especially if they are of new onset. It is best to see an ophthalmologist and get a dilated eye exam to determine if the retina has suffered any damage. Floaters typically occur when the jelly in the back of the eye, called the vitreous, turns from jelly like consistency to a more liquid consistency. The protein fabric within it then clumps and floaters are often seen. While this can occur at any age, it is much more commonly seen in older individuals. Flashing lights and blurred vision may also accompany the floaters. They often resolve on their own. There are occasions when they can be lasered into smaller pieces and become less noticeable. However, if left alone after proper examination, they often become either smaller on their own or the brain ignores them within 6 months of initial occurrence.
Not usually, but if you notice new large floaters, see an ophthalmologist.
Not really, unless you see them all the time, there is flashes of light associated with them and you see a black curtain or shadow in the field of view. Do get your eyes dilated yearly at least.
It can be serious if associated with a retinal tear. See an ophthalmologist for a review.
