It can be a bit alarming when you suddenly see unusual things in your field of vision – otherwise known as floaters. However, understanding what those things are, what they mean, and how to address them can help calm any anxiety. Our team at Eye Care for Diabetics Medical Group in Inglewood has put together a quick guide below to help.
What Are Floaters?
“Floaters” is a term used to describe small shapes that appear unexpectedly in your field of vision. You might not notice them all of the time, especially if you’re looking at something with a busy background. However, when you look at something with less going on – such as a blank wall – you see strange things floating around. You might simply think it’s dust or something else in your eye, leading you to blink or try to rub them away. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work, though, because it’s not something sitting on your eyeball. Instead, they are passing in front of the macula of your eye.
What Causes Floaters in Vision?
Your eye contains a gel-like substance called vitreous humor. As you age, the vitreous humor thickens and solidifies. When this happens, people begin to see the clumps as floaters. Age is one of the biggest causes of this, of course, as the vitreous humor starts to dry out some over time. However, in some cases, as the vitreous shrinks, it leads to retinal detachment. Other issues like eye infections, injuries, bleeding in the eye, and inflammation can all cause floaters.
Treatment for Floaters
Treatment is not always necessary for floaters. For many people, they don’t notice them often or they seem to decrease over time. In such cases, it’s usually best to leave them alone at this point. You will, of course, want to take note of any changes and always keep your regular eye exam appointments. These steps will ensure you have nothing to worry about and that they don’t worsen.
However, if the floaters are due to retinal detachment or another serious condition, it’s important to see your ophthalmologist right away. Surgery is available when necessary, but you’ll want to discuss all treatment options in detail prior to deciding on your course of treatment.
Schedule An Appointment With Our Ophthalmologist in Inglewood, CA
If you’re living with floaters, an exam is the first step to determining the cause and severity. Call our team at Eye Care for Diabetics Medical Group today at (310) 671-0909 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
