Most of us have seen eye floaters in the shape of cobwebs and worm-like structures moving across our field of vision. Do not panic if you see an occasional eye floater. Though eye floaters might seem a little disturbing, they are not uncommon and most are not a sign that there is something seriously wrong with your eye health.
What are Floaters in Your Eyes?
Floaters are dots, lines or ring-shaped shadows that drift across your field of vision. They’re made out of vitreous humor, a translucent substance that fills the eye. Similar to the texture of jelly, the vitreous humor changes during the aging process. As time progresses, the vitreous humor’s liquid component increases and specific protein fibers begin to compile. When light reaches the eyes, these compiled fibers create a shadow on the retina portion of the eye. This shadow results in eye floaters. Eye floaters are especially noticeable when you look at something that is very bright, such as snow, a sunlit sky or even printer paper.
Are Eye Floaters a Danger to Eye Health?
Eye floaters are certainly annoying. Yet a majority of them are not a threat to your eye health. Eye floaters appear in the line of vision of just about every human being, regardless of one’s age. However, eye floaters tend to occur at a higher frequency when one reaches age 50 and beyond. You might have a considerable number of eye floaters and not even notice them at this point because you have grown accustomed to their presence. If you find eye floaters to be particularly annoying or if they have reached the frequency that they are impacting your vision, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with Southwestern Eye Center.
Eye Floaters: When it is Time to Worry
Certain eye floaters are the result of a detached retina. Others are caused by eye diseases. If you notice symptoms like flashes of light, eye pain, a loss or decrease in peripheral vision, an increase in eye floater frequency or eye pain, contact Southwestern Eye Center right away to determine if you have a more serious eye issue. If you merely experience occasional eye floaters with none of the symptoms described above, you probably do not have anything to worry about. The average person experiences eye floaters and they usually turn out to be harmless. However, if you have any doubt, it is better to be safe than sorry. Southwestern Eye Center is here to help.