What is it?
Floaters are seeing of flying black particles in front of the eye.
Typically they appear as some dust particle flying in front of the
eye. They are usually visible in moderate light and not seen in very
dark light. They may vary in number and may occasionally disappear.
Why floaters develop?
Floaters are because of some particles in the jelly of the eye called
vitreous. Normal vitreous is jelly-like occupying
the back part of eye. Due to ageing process, it liquefies in the
center hence gets separated from the retina. This condition is called
posterior vitreous detachment. This gives rise to sensation of floaters
or flashes. Occasionally, in this process it may tear the retina
creating retinal hole or bleeding into vitreous retinal hole or
bleeding into vitreous leading to vitreous haemorrhage. This is
more common in myopia and post cataract surgery.
What is its importance?
In some cases it could be an early symptom of serious eye disease.
What to do if you see floaters?
Your eyes should be examined in detail at least once, because you
may have a retinal problem. Majority of patients don't need any
treatment except follow-ups. Very rarely there may be a retinal
hole or vitreous hemorrhage and you may need to undergo treatment
for that.
Advice to the patient seeing floaters: (After eye checkup)
- Try to ignore them. They will settle down with passage of time.
- Keep the track of number of floaters. If the number suddenly
increases or their shape drastically alters, then consult your
eye surgeon immediately.
- If floaters are associated with flashes,
then you should consult immediately.
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