{"id":109858,"date":"2025-01-28T00:00:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T17:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/?p=109858"},"modified":"2025-01-28T00:00:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T17:00:15","slug":"what-are-eye-floaters-here-what-to-do-if-you-start-seeing-them-according-to-an-eye-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/what-are-eye-floaters-here-what-to-do-if-you-start-seeing-them-according-to-an-eye-doctor\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Eye Floaters? Here What To Do If you Start Seeing Them, According to an Eye Doctor&hellip;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>What to Do If You Find a Hibernating Frog<br>\nEye floaters are a common yet often misunderstood visual phenomenon. Whether they appear as squiggly lines, specks, or cobwebs drifting across your vision, they can be concerning at first glance. Understanding what causes them and when to seek medical attention is crucial. Here\u2019s what experts have to say about how to handle them.\n<p><strong>What Are Eye Floaters?<br>\nEye \u2018floaters\u2019 are not usually a concern.\n<p>Eye floaters are small shapes that seem to drift across your field of vision. They might look like spots, threads, or squiggly lines, and they become especially noticeable when looking at a bright background, such as a clear sky or a white wall. These shapes move as your eyes move and can seem to dart away when you try to focus on them.\n</p><p><img fetchpriority='\"high\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"aligncenter' size-full wp-image-109861 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/writehorizon.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2025%5C/01%5C/floaters.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"526\"' height='\"640\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/floaters.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p><strong>What Causes Eye Floaters?<br>\na young person laid sideways\n<p>Floaters are typically caused by age-related changes in the vitreous, a gel-like substance inside the eye. As we age, the vitreous becomes more liquid and the microscopic fibers within it can clump together, casting shadows on the retina. These shadows are what we perceive as floaters.\n</p><p>In some cases though, they can be linked to more serious conditions such as:\n</p><p>Eye infections<br>\nUveitis (inflammation within the eye)<br>\nRetinal tears or detachment<br>\nWho Is Most at Risk?<br>\na senior woman\n</p><p>Certain individuals are more likely to experience floaters. You might be at higher risk if you:\n</p><p>Are nearsighted<br>\nHave had cataract surgery<br>\nSuffer from diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy<br>\nAging<br>\nSymptoms to Watch For<br>\nA flash of light\n</p><p>Generally, they are harmless, but if you experience a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow appearing in your peripheral vision, it could signal a retinal tear or detachment. These are medical emergencies and require immediate attention.\n</p><p><strong>How Are Floaters Diagnosed?<br>\nclose up of someones eye\n<p>Eye doctors use a dilated eye exam to diagnose floaters. This involves dilating the pupils with eye drops to get a better view of the vitreous and retina. The exam allows the specialist to identify any abnormalities or underlying issues, such as retinal tears.\n</p><p><strong>When Are Floaters a Medical Emergency?<br>\nlight showing on an eye\n<p>While most floaters are benign, certain symptoms can indicate serious issues:\n</p><p><strong>A sudden increase in frequency<br>\nFlashes of light<br>\nA dark curtain or shadow moving across your vision<br>\nThese signs could point to retinal detachment or tear, which requires immediate medical intervention to prevent vision loss.\n<p><strong>Treatment Options for Floaters<br>\nlaser eye surgery\n<p>In many cases, no treatment is needed as floaters tend to become less noticeable over time. However, for those noticing a significant impairment in vision, there are options:\n</p><p>Vitrectomy: A surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel and replaces it with a saline solution.<br>\nLaser Therapy: This treatment uses lasers to break up the floaters, making them less noticeable. Both treatments come with risks, including infection and retinal damage, so they are usually considered only for severe cases.<br>\n<strong>Lifestyle Tips for Managing Floaters<br>\na man smoking\n<p>If your floaters are mild, certain lifestyle changes can help manage them:\n</p><p>Eye exercises: Moving your eyes up and down can shift floaters out of your line of sight.<br>\nDiet and supplements: Maintaining a diet rich in omega-3, vitamin A, and zinc can support overall eye health.<br>\nAvoid smoking: Smoking can exacerbate eye issues and hinder overall eye health.<br>\nPreventative Measures and Long-Term Outlook<br>\nPOV of an eye test\n</p><p>Although floaters are often a natural part of aging, maintaining regular eye check-ups is vital to catching any potential issues early. Dr. Rick Ansorge emphasizes, \u201cIf you experience any sudden changes in your vision, seek medical advice immediately\u201d.\n</p><p>For most, floaters are a benign annoyance. However, staying informed and proactive can ensure your eyes remain healthy for years to come.\n</p><p>By understanding eye floaters and their causes, you can better manage this common condition and protect your vision. Regular check-ups and awareness of potential symptoms are your best defense against more serious eye issues.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>What to Do If You Find a Hibernating Frog Eye floaters are a common yet often misunderstood visual phenomenon. Whether they appear as squiggly lines, specks, or cobwebs drifting across your vision, they can be concerning at first glance. Understanding what causes them and when to seek medical attention is crucial. Here\u2019s what experts have\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":109861,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[404,410],"tags":[746],"class_list":{"0":"post-109858","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-and-fitness","8":"category-life-hacks","9":"tag-hometips-lifehacks-health"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/floaters.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109858"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109862,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109858\/revisions\/109862"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></strong></p></strong></p></strong></p></strong></p></strong></p></strong></p></strong></p></strong></p>