What Are Eye Floaters?

By Author: Mahi Muqit
Total Articles: 36
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Eye floaters are an annoyance. The older we get, the higher risk we have of eye floaters. It is a common age-related eye problem, that can be frustrating. It is often noticeable when reading a book to see a speck fly across the page. When you follow the speck, it vanishes out of sight.

This will happen more and more. The eye floaters will become more when looking at a white wall or the sand on the beach. The floaters can be dots, circles, or cobwebs that move around your field of vision. By moving the eyes slightly, they move away. Most people are worried when they first start seeing floaters, scared there is something wrong with their eyes.

The eyeball is perfectly round and maintains its shape thanks to the vitreous gel inside. The gel is like jelly that is taken out of the fridge. When we are young, the vitreous gel that fills the eyeball is transparent and firm, but as we age, it shrinks and becomes liquefied, moving around the eyeball. It starts to separate and form strands and clumps. This can be very scary when seeing them for the first time and a common reason why people rush to their eye doctor.

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... floaters are common and happen to most of us as a natural part of the aging process, they are not usually dangerous and will not cause vision loss. Most people learn to live with their floaters over time, learning how to ignore them, so they don't bother them when looking at a white wall, typing on a computer, or reading the newspaper or a book.

On rare occasions, the floaters can cause damage. When the vitreous is shrinking and moving around the eye freely, it may move too vigorously, tugging at the retina, which can cause a tear, known as a retina tear, which may need surgery to repair. This is an eye condition you will need to visit your eye doctor for further examination.

There are times when you will want to book an emergency eye exam. You will want to visit your eye doctor immediately if you notice more floaters than normal or there are flashing lights in your side vision, which means that the retina is being pulled on and could tear, or complete retinal detachment. If you have had a floater for a while and suddenly there is a significant number of floaters and they are bothering you, then book an eye exam for further investigation and treatment options.

It is important to remember that in most cases, eye floaters are a natural part of the aging process and will not cause any further trouble. Over some time, you learn to live with them and no treatment is needed. Sometimes, floaters can be a sign of something more serious. Always have your eyes checked by an eye doctor if you are concerned.

In most cases, you will be able to live with your floaters and continue your life as normal. When they start interfering with your quality of life, increase substantially in numbers or you see flashes of light, a sign the vitreous gel is pulling on the retina, you may be offered surgery.

The surgery offered for eye floaters is known as a vitrectomy and is a common procedure, which is done as a day case, enabling you to recover at home. The vitrectomy involves the removal of the vitreous gel and a replacement gas or saline is introduced, helping the eye keep its shape. The gas or saline is absorbed into the body as the body automatically starts replacing the vitreous with new.

About Us: Mahi Muqit is a leading consultant ophthalmologist, cataract, and vitreoretinal surgeon at two private clinics in London, United Kingdom. He provides patients with superior service and support with a range of surgical procedures to meet their eyesight requirements. He has built up a solid reputation for his eye services in the London area as an expert eye doctor and surgeon offering surgical retina, medical retina, and complex cataract surgery. He also offers surgery to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Mahi Muqit is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons, and the UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. To find out more, visit https://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com.