Causes and risks of eye floaters

The vision system of human beings is quite powerful yet it is also very delicate. Healthy or good eyesight depends on the integrated functioning of all ocular parts. Mishap or damage to any eye part will lead to visual problems to different degrees. Common eye problems include myopia, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy etc. There are still some tiny problems that do not cause long-term visual difficulty.

Eye floaters are a typical ocular problem

For example, some people may experience small specks or clouds that are moving around the visual field and may be confused by these strange objects. Actually they are formally called floaters or eye floaters. The occurrence of these floaters inside the eye signifies an abnormal change in the eye. In particular, eye floaters become more noticeable when a person is looking at a plain background such as the sky or a blank wall. Of course, normal vision perception will be disturbed by these moving specks or spots.

Floaters inside the vitreous have different shapes

The eye is filled with clear, gel-like fluid that is called vitreous gel. In fact, eye floaters are tiny clumps of vitreous gel or cells inside the vitreous. Of course, these floaters are inside of the vitreous, although they are seen in front of the eye. As a result, they can not be rubbed off. Such an effort is useless. Eye floaters can be various shapes such as dots, circle, lines, cobwebs and clouds.

Vitreous change is the exact reason

The reason for eye floaters involves vitreous changes in the eye. As people age, the vitreous gel in the eye thickens and shrinks, resulting clumps or strands inside the eye. In severe conditions, the gel pulls away from the back of the eye, leading to a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

Who need to pay extra attention to eye floaters?

Certain groups of people have more risks of suffering eye floaters. Myopic people and those with a history of cataract operation, eye inflammation or YAG laser surgery are more likely to have eye floaters. Eye floaters in people above 45 years old require particular attention. Sudden forms of eye floaters in this population probably signify a torn retina, which needs immediate treatment from an ophthalmologist.