It can be alarming to suddenly notice a small shadow or speck moving across your eyesight. These shapes may look like dust, threads, or faint cobwebs that drift when you move your eyes. At Optical Illusionz, our vision center and vision clinic teams help people make sense of these changes every day. Floaters are common, but they sometimes point to something more serious. Make sure you know the difference!
How to Tell If Eye Floaters Are Harmless or an Emergency
How to Tell If Eye Floaters Are Harmless or an Emergency
What Floaters Actually Are
Floaters usually come from tiny clumps of protein or cells inside the gel that fills the back of your eye. Light passes through the eye and these clumps cast shadows on the retina, which you see as moving shapes. So while the floater looks like it’s on the surface of your eye, it’s actually floating deep inside.
When Floaters Are Normal
For most people, floaters happen with age as the gel in the eye begins to change texture. They can also pop up after staring at a bright sky or computer screen for a long time. If they drift in and out without getting worse, they’re usually not a cause for concern.
Warning Signs That Call for Attention
Floaters that suddenly increase in number, especially if paired with flashes of light or a curtain-like shadow in your vision, can point to retinal problems. Retinal tears or detachments need fast treatment, and waiting too long can lead to vision loss. So changes that feel sudden or dramatic should not be ignored.
Other Causes of Floaters
Eye injuries, inflammation, and certain medical conditions like diabetes can all create floaters. Even some medications have been linked to them. Knowing your health history helps your optometrist figure out whether your floaters are harmless or linked to something bigger.
A professional eye exam is the best way to separate routine floaters from emergencies. At our vision clinic, we use diagnostic tools that allow us to see the back of the eye in detail. This lets us check the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels for changes that explain your symptoms.
If you’ve noticed floaters and aren’t sure what they mean, don’t wait. Visit Optical Illusionz for an exam at our vision center or book an appointment with our vision clinic today. Protecting your sight starts with taking every change seriously.