“What are these things floating around in my vision?”
You might have noticed them? Annoying little “bugs” floating around just in front of you or visible on the side of your field of view. Finding yourself swatting the invisible enemy and receiving dubious glances from bystanders and family members……but the good news is that you are not losing your marbles. We call these little things floaters, and the name pretty much sums up what they are.
The eyeball is filled with a jelly-like substance called the vitreous and this is where our little friends are found. As we age the vitreous jelly starts to thicken or shrink. This process can lead to tiny clumps or strands forming. When they float past the visual axis, much like a snow globe, we become aware of them. They are generally not serious and become less obvious and fade over time.
“When are these floaters serious?”
Sometimes floaters can be associated with seeing flashes of light as well. In most cases these are not serious. However, there are times when they can be indicators of a more serious condition and would you require you to contact your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist as soon as possible. These signs are as follows:
- You notice a sudden increase in the number of floaters.
- You see a lot of flashes.
- You notice a shadow in your peripheral vision.
- You notice a grey curtain covering part of your vision.
These could be symptoms of a detached retina, which is when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. This is a serious condition and needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Contact your eyecare professional should you experience any symptoms that you are unsure about.
