If you’ve ever looked at a bright sky, a blank wall, or a white page and suddenly noticed tiny specks, strands, or squiggly shapes drifting across your vision, you’re not alone. These visual quirks are called eye floaters, and they’re incredibly common. Most of the time, they’re harmless — but sometimes, they can signal something more serious.
Here’s what an eye doctor wants you to know.
👁️ What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?
Inside your eye is a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous humor. As you age, this gel begins to thicken and shrink slightly. Small clumps or strands can form within the gel, and when light passes through your eye, these tiny specks cast shadows on your retina.
Those shadows are what you see as floaters.
They often look like:
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Black or gray dots
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Cobweb-like strands
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Squiggly lines
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Rings or shadows
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Tiny “bugs” drifting in your vision
Floaters move when your eyes move and drift when your eyes stop — almost like they’re floating in liquid (because they are!).
👁️ Why Do Floaters Happen?
Most floaters are a natural part of aging and occur when the vitreous changes texture.
Common causes include:
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Natural aging (the most common reason)
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Near-sightedness
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Eye injuries
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Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis)
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Post-cataract or retinal surgery
As long as floaters stay stable and don’t come with other symptoms, they’re usually nothing to worry about.
⚠️ When Floaters Can Be a Warning Sign
While most floaters are harmless, sometimes they can indicate a serious condition that needs quick medical attention.
An eye doctor recommends getting checked right away if you notice:
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A sudden increase in floaters
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Flashes of light (like camera flashes in the corner of your eye)
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A dark “curtain” or shadow in your peripheral vision
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A sudden drop in vision
These symptoms can signal:
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
Common and often harmless, but should still be evaluated.
Retinal Tear or Detachment
Less common — but urgent. Early treatment greatly increases the chance of preventing vision loss.
If any of these symptoms occur, it’s best to call an eye doctor as soon as possible. Most clinics can fit you in urgently when floaters suddenly change.
👁️ What You Can Do About Eye Floaters
1. Monitor Them
Most floaters fade over time or become less noticeable as your brain adapts.
2. Get an Eye Exam
If your floaters are new, worsening, or worrying, an eye doctor can dilate your pupils and check the retina to make sure everything is healthy.
3. Treat the Underlying Cause
If floaters are related to inflammation or a medical condition, treating that issue often improves the floaters as well.
4. Surgery (Rarely Needed)
In severe, vision-interfering cases, a procedure called a vitrectomy can remove floaters — but it’s usually reserved for cases where floaters significantly affect daily life due to potential risks.
👁️ Can You Prevent Floaters?
Not entirely — they’re often a normal part of aging. However, you can support eye health through:
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Wearing sunglasses
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Managing conditions like diabetes
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Avoiding smoking
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Protecting eyes from injury
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Getting regular eye exams, especially after age 50
⭐ Final Thoughts
Eye floaters are extremely common and usually harmless. But paying attention to changes — especially sudden ones — is important. Most floaters simply come with age, but some can signal retinal issues that need fast care.
