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👁️ “Doc, I keep seeing these little squiggly things floating around in my vision. Am I going blind?”
This is one of the most common concerns patients bring up in the exam room—and for good reason. Floaters can be unsettling, especially when they appear suddenly or become more noticeable.

So let’s demystify eye floaters once and for all—what they are, why they happen, and when they actually require a trip to your eye doctor (that’s me!).

👓 What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?

Floaters are small, shadowy shapes that drift through your field of vision. Most people describe them as:

• Grey or black specks
• Cobweb-like threads
• Transparent squiggles
• Tiny clouds or blobs

They’re most noticeable when looking at a plain, bright background—like a clear sky, a computer screen, or a white wall. And no, they’re not “on” your eye like dust on your glasses—they’re inside your eye.

🧪 So, What Causes Them?

Floaters originate in the vitreous humor, the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the space between your lens and retina.

As we age, the vitreous naturally begins to shrink and liquefy. This process—called vitreous syneresis—leads to the formation of tiny collagen clumps or strands. When light enters your eye, these clumps cast small shadows on the retina. That’s what you perceive as floaters.

Here are some common causes:

• Aging (most floaters are age-related and benign)
• Nearsightedness (myopia) – increases the risk of earlier vitreous changes
• Eye injuries
• Eye surgeries, including cataract removal
• Inflammation (e.g., uveitis)
• Vitreous hemorrhage – blood in the vitreous due to trauma or retinal disease

🚨 When Floaters Are a Red Flag

Now, here’s the part where I ask you to take floaters seriously—when they change suddenly.

Floaters alone are usually harmless. But when they show up with other symptoms, they can be a warning sign of something urgent.

Call your eye doctor immediately if you notice:

• A sudden shower or explosion of new floaters
• Flashes of light in your vision (photopsia)
• A dark curtain or shadow across your peripheral vision
• Loss of side vision

These symptoms could point to a retinal tear or detachment—a condition that requires immediate attention to preserve your vision.

👨‍⚕️ Can Floaters Be Treated?

Most floaters don’t need treatment and fade into the background as your brain learns to ignore them. But in some cases—when floaters are dense, numerous, or visually disabling—we do have options:

• Laser vitreolysis – Uses laser energy to break up large floaters (not ideal for everyone)
• Vitrectomy – A surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel entirely; effective but reserved for severe cases due to surgical risks

Every patient is different. If floaters are interfering with your life, we’ll talk about whether treatment makes sense for you.

💡 Final Takeaway

Floaters are a common—and usually harmless—part of getting older. But they’re also your eye’s way of letting you know when something might be wrong.

So if you’re noticing new floaters or any changes in your vision, don’t brush it off. Come in. Let’s take a look and make sure everything is as it should be.

Have questions about floaters or other eye symptoms? Drop them in the comments or book a consultation—I’m always happy to keep your vision crystal clear.