Eye Floaters
Eye floaters (myodesopsias) are small, semi-transparent specks or particles that appear to float in the field of vision. They can be various shapes and sizes, such as dots, circles, lines, or cobwebs, and may appear to move or drift across the visual field.
Floaters are caused by tiny bits of debris that float in the vitreous, which is the clear gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. The vitreous may shrink or liquefy with age, causing the debris to become more noticeable and appear as floaters.
Many people experience floaters at some point in their lives, however, they can also be an early warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment – which can lead to vision loss. Other common eye conditions that can bring about floaters are trauma to the eye, nearsightedness, previous cataract surgery, and vitreous hemorrhage.
Eye Floater Diagnosis
If you are experiencing floaters, please contact us to schedule a dilated exam to ensure that you do not have a retinal detachment or tear. With the use of special eye drops to widen your pupil, we can examine the inside of your eye and take pictures with optical coherence tomography (OCT). This advanced machine scans the retina and macula for detailed images that can be studied for any potential problems and to detect vitreous opacities – the cause of symptomatic floaters. Your medical history will also be reviewed for conditions and symptoms that may be related to the cause of your floaters.
Treatment for Eye Floaters
In cases where they significantly impair vision and activities of daily living, a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy may be performed to remove the vitreous and the floaters. We will have a detailed discussion with you about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of surgery.
The team at South Carolina Retina Institute works diligently to help patients preserve or improve their eyesight. Our aim is to provide the best care possible for your situation and we stay informed on the latest medical breakthroughs that show promising results.