Wait—Why Are There Floaters in My Eyes?

Beth Ann Mayer

Woman experiencing eye floaters

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. If you're doing some soul-searching in the mirror—or just brushing your teeth—and notice tiny specs, you might be concerned. These dots may even look like flies or gnats, but they're actually something called eye floaters.

"Floaters are opacities in the gel in the back of the eye called vitreous," says Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD, an ophthalmologist and medical reviewer at All About Vision.

So, should you be concerned about these opacities? Experts say it depends. Sometimes, these floaters are benign. However, they can be a sign of something more serious. Three ophthalmologists explained eye floaters in layperson's terms and provided insights on when people should get a professional on the line.

Related: The One Thing Eye Doctors Say You Should Never, Ever Do

What Are Eye Floaters?

In the simplest terms: "Floaters are a general term to refer to the perception of seeing something moving or floating around in one’s field of vision in one or both eyes," says Dr. Ananth Sastry, MD, of Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute. 

Another expert shares that people most frequently notice eye floaters in high-contrast situations. "You’ll often see them when you’re looking at a pale blue sky or a bright white wall," says Dr. Benjamin Bert, MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. "Typically, floaters will appear as little dots or squiggles that move across your vision. If you try to look directly at them, the eye movement will shift the vitreous and thus shift the position of where the floater is as well."

What Causes Eye Floaters?

So, why do eye floaters happen in the first place? Here are the most common reasons.

1. Age

Dr. Bert says age is the most significant risk factor for eye floaters. "As we age, the gel becomes less like a gel and more like a liquid, so it moves around more and changes in ways that can cause additional floaters to be seen," Dr. Bert says.

This movement can cause a posterior detachment, which Dr. Bert says can create a large floater. The American Society of Retina Specialists says this detachment rarely occurs in people under 40, and eye floaters become more prevalent in people 60 and up.

2. Retinal tear

Experts say that retinal tears are one of the most concerning causes of eye floaters.

"If the retina tears, it can release pigment or blood into the vitreous that would be seen as a sudden onset of new floaters," Dr. Bert says. 

Eye trauma and nearsightedness can increase a person's risk for retinal tears and, therefore, floaters. Dr. Wachler says injuries can cause eye trauma, but what's the deal with nearsightedness?

"Having a prescription of nearsightedness because the eye is longer than the average eye and the retina is thinner, which increases the risk of a retina tear or detachment," Dr. Wachler says.

Regular trips to your eye doctor will let them keep tabs on this potential issue. Tears need prompt care, regardless of the reason, as the potential for subsequent detachment can cause more significant problems. "Retinal detachment...can cause loss of vision," Dr. Bert explains. "It can be fixed with laser surgery if it is caught early but may require surgery in the operating room if a retinal detachment is found."

3. Uncontrolled diabetes

Poorly managed diabetes can also trigger eye floaters. "Uncontrolled diabetes can cause floaters if new blood vessels grow and leak blood or cause a retina detachment," Dr. Wachler says.

Lifestyle tweaks like diet and exercise and medications like insulin and frequent glucose monitoring can help people manage their diabetes.

4. Eye infections

Eye infections, including pink eye, may also trigger floaters. "Eye infections can cause floaters if the infection is severe enough to cause white blood cells to be released into the eye to try to fight off the infection," Dr. Bert explains.

5. Uveitis

Uveitis is a fancy word for eye diseases that cause redness and inflammation in the eye, usually in the middle layer, and Dr. Bert says it's another reason for floaters. There are several types and causes of uveitis, including some autoimmune diseases like lupus, sarcoidosis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Left untreated, uveitis can lead to vision loss, including blindness.

Related: The Common Habit That Could Be Damaging Your Vision, According to Ophthalmologists

Are Eye Floaters Normal at 20?

Dr. Sastry says that people of any age can have eye floaters. "However, persistent floaters during all lighting conditions would not be expected in patients younger than age 50." Dr. Sastry says. "If you have been experiencing floaters, it is best to have your eyes evaluated by an ophthalmologist."

What To Do About Eye Floaters

If you're dealing with persistent eye floaters, here's what you should do.

1. See an ophthalmologist

A cast may help heal a broken leg, and over-the-counter medications can aid in managing cold symptoms. However, there's no one-size-fits-all treatment for eye floaters.

"The management depends on the cause," Dr. Sastry says. "The cause of one’s floaters must first be ascertained by an ophthalmologist to figure out how the floaters might be managed."

Dr. Sastry suggests seeing an ophthalmologist who is a retina specialist. "A retina specialist is best equipped to perform a comprehensive and thorough dilated eye exam with relevant ophthalmic imaging to determine the cause of the floaters and perform treatment if needed," Dr. Sastry says. "One should not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat floaters."

2. Wait it out

Sometimes, the best treatment for eye floaters is none at all (except some patience). "For benign causes such as a posterior vitreous detachment, floaters generally resolve on their own," Dr. Sastry explains.

3. Surgical removal

If eye floaters are persistent or affecting a person's daily life, a healthcare provider may recommend undergoing surgery to remove them. "Surgical removal of the vitreous gel by a vitreoretinal surgeon can sometimes be performed to achieve symptomatic relief," says Dr. Sastry.

4. Consider other options for the most severe cases

Eye floaters are often harmless, but not always. Sometimes, doctors may suggest taking significant steps to treat the issue.

According to Dr. Sastry, "If the source of the floaters is not benign, such as a retinal tear, intraocular bleeding or inflammation, the eye may need to be treated with oral medications, laser surgery, intraocular injections or incisional eye surgery."

Though scary, treating these eye floaters can have long-term benefits on a person's eye health. "In such cases, the goal of treatment is not merely to get symptomatic relief from the floaters, but, more importantly, to protect against possible irreversible vision loss," Dr. Sastry says.

Related: 7 Foods to Eat for Eye Health

What Is the Prognosis for Eye Floaters?

It depends, but Dr. Sastry is generally optimistic. "While the visual prognosis can vary significantly depending on the cause, most floaters can be managed successfully by qualified ophthalmologists and retina specialists," he explains.

Next up: Why Is My Ear Ringing?

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