Have you ever noticed small dots, lines or shapes drifting across your vision, particularly when looking at a bright background such as a clear sky or white wall? These are commonly known as eye floaters.
Floaters are very common and, in many cases, aren’t a sign of a serious problem. They can become more noticeable as we get older and may appear to move when you move your eyes.
However, a sudden appearance of new floaters, a significant increase in their number or floaters accompanied by other changes to your vision can sometimes require urgent assessment.
In this guide, we’ll explain what eye floaters are, why they happen and, importantly, the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are small shapes that appear to move across your field of vision.
People describe them in different ways. They might look like:
- Small black or grey dots
- Specks
- Lines
- Threads
- Cobwebs
- Rings
- Wispy shapes
You may find that they move when you move your eyes and seem to drift away when you try to look directly at them.
They’re often particularly noticeable when looking at something bright and relatively plain, such as a computer screen, white wall or blue sky.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Most floaters originate from changes inside the eye.
The main part of the eye is filled with a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous. As we get older, the vitreous naturally changes and becomes more liquid.
Small clumps or strands can develop within it. These cast shadows onto the retina at the back of the eye, which you perceive as floaters moving across your vision.
Age-related changes to the vitreous are common, which is why people often begin noticing more floaters as they get older.
Are Eye Floaters Normal?
Floaters can be a normal part of ageing, particularly if you’ve had them for a long time, they aren’t getting worse and your vision hasn’t been affected.
Many people gradually become less aware of longstanding floaters over time.
However, you shouldn’t assume that every new floater is harmless.
A new or sudden increase in eye floaters can occasionally be associated with a problem at the back of the eye. The circumstances in which your floaters appeared are therefore important.
Why Have I Suddenly Developed Eye Floaters?
A sudden increase in floaters can occur when the vitreous changes and pulls away from the retina. This is known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).
PVD becomes increasingly common with age. Although it doesn’t usually cause serious problems, the process can occasionally result in a retinal tear.
A retinal tear can potentially progress to a retinal detachment, which requires urgent treatment.
For this reason, suddenly developing new floaters shouldn’t simply be dismissed as another sign of getting older.
What Are Flashes and Floaters?
Some people notice flashes of light alongside their floaters.
Flashes can appear as brief streaks, sparks or flashes at the edge of your vision. They can occur when the vitreous pulls or rubs against the retina.
Flashes and floaters can therefore sometimes occur together during changes to the vitreous.
If you’ve had the same floaters and occasional flashes for a long time and they’ve already been assessed, they may not indicate a new problem. However, new flashes or a sudden increase in floaters should be assessed promptly.
When Should You Be Concerned About Eye Floaters?
The most important thing is to recognise a change from what’s normal for you.
Seek urgent professional advice if:
- You suddenly develop floaters for the first time
- The number of floaters suddenly increases
- You notice flashes of light
- You see a dark curtain or shadow across your vision
- Part of your visual field appears missing
- Your vision suddenly becomes blurry
- You develop floaters following an eye injury or eye surgery
- You experience eye pain alongside changes to your vision
These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have a retinal detachment, but they need to be assessed quickly so that serious causes can be ruled out.
What Is a Retinal Tear?
The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye.
As the vitreous changes or pulls away from the retina, it can occasionally pull strongly enough to create a small tear.
A retinal tear may cause symptoms such as new floaters or flashing lights.
Identifying a retinal tear is important because treatment may sometimes be needed to reduce the risk of the retina becoming detached.
You can’t tell whether you have a retinal tear simply by looking at the appearance of your floaters, so new symptoms need professional assessment.
What Is a Retinal Detachment?
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from its normal position at the back of the eye.
It is a serious eye condition that requires urgent medical attention because delaying treatment can put your eyesight at risk.
Warning signs can include:
- A sudden increase in floaters
- New flashing lights
- A dark shadow in your vision
- A curtain-like effect moving across your field of vision
- Sudden changes to your eyesigh
A retinal detachment is generally painless, so the absence of pain doesn’t mean that sudden visual symptoms can safely be ignored.
If you experience symptoms that could indicate retinal detachment, seek urgent assessment rather than waiting for a routine eye examinat
Are Some People More Likely to Experience Floaters?
Floaters become more common with age, but certain factors can make vitreous and retinal changes more likely.
These can include:
- Being short-sighted
- Increasing age
- Previous eye surgery
- Previous eye injury
- Certain problems affecting the inside of the eye
If you have known risk factors, your optometrist can provide advice based on your individual eye health.
Regardless of risk, however, anyone experiencing a sudden change in floaters should seek appropriate advice.
Can Short-Sightedness Cause Eye Floaters?
People who are short-sighted, particularly those with higher levels of myopia, may experience changes to the vitreous at a younger age and have an increased risk of certain retinal problems.
This doesn’t mean that developing a floater automatically indicates something is wrong.
However, if you’re short-sighted and notice a sudden increase in floaters or new flashes, it’s particularly important to have the symptoms assessed promptly.
Can Eye Floaters Affect Your Vision?
Individual floaters can temporarily pass across the centre of your vision, which can be distracting.
They may be particularly noticeable when:
- Reading
- Looking at a computer screen
- Looking at the sky
- Working against a light-coloured background
For many people, longstanding floaters don’t significantly interfere with everyday vision.
Over time, you may also become less aware of them as your brain learns to ignore them.
If floaters are substantially interfering with your vision or you’ve noticed another change to your eyesight, discuss this with an eye care professional.
Do Eye Floaters Go Away?
Some floaters become less noticeable with time.
The floater itself may move away from the centre of your vision, while your brain can gradually become better at ignoring it.
This can take weeks or months.
However, you shouldn’t simply wait for new or suddenly worsening eye floaters to disappear without having them appropriately assessed, particularly when they’re accompanied by flashes or changes to your vision.
Can You Prevent Eye Floaters?
Age-related changes within the vitreous can’t generally be prevented.
Looking after your overall eye health remains important, but there isn’t a particular exercise, diet or pair of glasses that can guarantee you won’t develop floaters.
The most valuable thing you can do is understand your usual vision and recognise when something has changed.
Regular eye examinations also provide an opportunity for your optometrist to assess your eye health and discuss any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Can Screen Time Cause Eye Floaters?
Using a computer or smartphone doesn’t usually cause the changes within the vitreous responsible for typical floaters.
However, you might notice existing floaters more easily when using a screen, particularly if you’re looking at a bright or predominantly white background.
Long periods of screen use can contribute to other symptoms such as tired or dry eyes, but a sudden onset of floaters shouldn’t simply be blamed on spending too much time looking at a screen.
Can Eye Floaters Cause Blurry Vision?
A floater passing across the centre of your vision can temporarily make a small area appear less clear.
However, persistent or sudden blurry vision shouldn’t automatically be attributed to floaters.
If your eyesight has changed noticeably, particularly if the change occurred suddenly or alongside new floaters or flashes, seek professional advice.
An examination can help establish whether your symptoms are associated with normal vitreous changes or something requiring further investigation.
What Happens During an Examination for Eye Floaters?
If you seek advice about new floaters, the eye care professional will ask about your symptoms.
Useful information includes:
- When the floaters first appeared
- Whether they appeared suddenly
- Whether their number has increased
- Whether one or both eyes are affected
- Whether you’ve noticed flashing lights
- Whether any part of your vision appears missing
- Whether you’ve recently experienced an eye injury or undergone eye surgery
Your eyes may then need to be examined carefully, including an assessment of the retina at the back of the eye.
In some circumstances, dilating eye drops may be used to provide a wider view of the retina.
If something requiring further investigation is identified, you’ll be advised about the appropriate next steps.
Should I Mention Old Floaters at My Eye Test?
Yes.
Even if you’ve had the same floaters for years and they haven’t changed, it’s worth mentioning them during your eye examination.
Your optometrist can take your symptoms into account when assessing your eyes and advise you about the warning signs to look out for in the future.
It’s particularly useful to understand what is normal for your own vision. That makes it easier to recognise a genuine change if new symptoms develop later.
Should I Book a Routine Appointment or Seek Urgent Help?
This distinction is particularly important with eye floaters.
If you’ve had a few floaters for a long time, they’ve previously been assessed and nothing has changed, you can continue attending your regular eye examinations as advised.
However, don’t wait for your next routine eye test if you suddenly develop:
- Lots of new floaters
- New flashes
- A dark curtain or shadow
- Loss of part of your vision
- Sudden deterioration in your eyesight
These symptoms require urgent assessment.
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are urgent, seek professional advice rather than waiting to see whether they disappear.
Don’t Ignore Sudden Changes to Your Vision
Most longstanding eye floaters aren’t a cause for alarm, particularly when they remain unchanged.
What matters is recognising when something is different.
A sudden shower of floaters, new flashes or a curtain or shadow across your vision can indicate a problem requiring urgent assessment. Retinal problems can sometimes occur without pain, so don’t use discomfort as the deciding factor when determining whether to seek help.
For longstanding floaters, continue with regular eye examinations and mention any symptoms to your optometrist.
Get Advice About Eye Floaters
If you’ve noticed eye floaters and aren’t sure whether they’re something to be concerned about, seek professional eye care advice.
The team at Bill Opticians can discuss your symptoms and advise you on the appropriate next steps. For routine eye care, our experienced optometrists provide thorough eye examinations across our independent practices in Devon.
If you’ve suddenly developed new floaters, flashes, a dark curtain or shadow, or a sudden change in your vision, seek urgent eye care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
