“How do eye floaters develop?”
I'm 24 years old and my eye doctor told me that the grey specks I'm seeing are called eye floaters. How do these develop?
4 Answers
Our eye is filled with a gel-like structure called the vitreous. As we age, the vitreous starts to thicken forming clumps or strands. These strands are what you see as floaters. If you experience a sudden increase in the amount of floaters or constant flashes, you should go to your nearest ophthalmologist to get a dilated fundus examination to rule out a tear or retinal detachment.
Floaters develop naturally as the vitreous gel ages. You should only worry if you experience flashing lights like July 4th sparklers.
Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
Floaters are the term for membrane fragments and minor condensations floating in the vitreous - the gel that fills the back of the eye. Some are there from birth; others from changes in the vitreous over time. They are usually benign, but you should be evaluated if you see hundreds all at once. They can be annoying. Some are working with laser treatments for them, but this is not established treatment yet.
Floaters can be developmental or congenital structures in your eye. If it increases and has light flashes or visual field defects, then it could be serious. See your doctor then.
