FLASHES AND FLOATERS
Floaters are
small specks or clouds moving in the field of vision.They can often
be seen when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or
blue sky. Floaters are actually small clumps of gel or cells inside
the vitreous, the clear jelly-like material that fills the inside
of the eye. Floaters can have different shapes: little dots,
circles, lines,clouds or cobwebs, and while they appear to be in
front of the eye, they are a result of opacities in the vitreous
that cast shadows on the retina. While some floaters may remain in
the vision, many will fade over time and become less
bothersome.
What
causes floaters?
When
people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or
shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel
pulls away from the back wall of the eye in a process known as
posterior vitreous detachment, which is a common cause of floaters.
Posterior vitreous detachment is more common for people
who:
*
Are nearsighted;
*
Have undergone cataract operations or YAG laser of the
eye;
*
Have had inflammation inside the eye.
The
appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop
suddenly. The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls
away from the wall of the eye. . A torn retina is always a serious
problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment. You should see
an ophthalmologist promptly if:
*
Even one new floater appears suddenly;
*
You see sudden flashes of light.
*
You notice a curtain, shadow or veil over any part of the
vision.
DIABETIC EYE CENTER of New York
Gary M Glickman MD PC Ophthalmology Diseases and Surgery of the Retina
