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Almost everyone develops floaters eventually. They are the small specks, threads or cobwebs that drift across your vision, most noticeable against a bright sky or a white screen. Usually they are harmless. Occasionally they are the first sign of a retinal tear, which is one of the few situations in eye care where hours matter.
What floaters actually are
The inside of the eye is filled with a clear gel called the vitreous. With age, that gel shrinks and becomes more liquid, and strands within it cast shadows on the retina. Those shadows are what you see. This process, called posterior vitreous detachment, is a normal part of aging and is more common after 50, after cataract surgery, and in people who are nearsighted.
Why flashes happen
As the vitreous pulls away, it can tug on the retina. The retina interprets any stimulation as light, so the tug registers as a flash or an arc of light, often in your peripheral vision and often more noticeable in a dark room.
The warning signs that mean call now
- A sudden shower of new floaters, rather than one or two that appeared gradually
- Repeated flashes of light, especially if they are new or increasing
- A dark curtain, shadow or veil moving across any part of your vision
- A sudden drop in vision in one eye
Any of these can indicate a retinal tear or detachment. A tear that is found early can often be treated in the office with a laser. A detachment usually requires surgery, and the longer central vision is involved, the harder it is to restore fully.
What happens at the visit
Your eyes will be dilated and the retina examined all the way out to its edges. This takes time and you will be light sensitive afterward, so bring sunglasses and a driver if you can. Our retina care page explains the conditions we treat.
What about floaters that are just annoying?
Once a tear has been ruled out, most floaters gradually become less noticeable as the brain learns to ignore them, even though they are still physically there. Treatment exists for severe cases but is reserved for patients whose vision is genuinely impaired, because every procedure inside the eye carries risk.
Frequently asked questions
Are floaters worse after cataract surgery?
Patients often notice them more, partly because vision is clearer and partly because surgery can hasten the vitreous changes already underway.
Can floaters be caused by stress or dehydration?
No. Floaters come from changes in the vitreous gel. Feeling stressed or dehydrated may make you notice them more, but it does not cause them.
How fast do I need to be seen?
For a sudden change in floaters or new flashes, the same day when possible. Call the office and describe what changed rather than waiting for a routine slot.
Noticed a change in your vision?
Book an appointment online with St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute in Largo, or call (727) 202-2020. We have cared for Tampa Bay families since 1961.
