Eye floaters are small dots or specks that float across your vision. You are likely to notice them when you are looking at a bright plain surface like a white wall or the sky. Nearly everyone at some point in their lives has experienced eye floaters and most of the time they are harmless. Most eye floaters are caused due to ageing. However, if you notice that the eye floaters are increasing in number and they are distracting you from doing your everyday chores, they may be a sign of serious eye condition.
You should call a doctor if you notice these:
- Eye floaters that don’t go away
- A sudden increase in the frequency of floaters
- You see flashes of light
- Your peripheral vision is impacted
- You have trouble seeing
- Your eyes are paining
Floaters can be symptoms of the following eye problems that need immediate medical attention:
- Retinal tear or retinal detachment: Sometimes appearance of floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear. The retina is the inner lining of the eye. When the retina develops a crack or a hole, it’s known as a retinal tear. If the retina is torn, you may experience various symptoms along with the appearance of eye floaters. You may see flashes of light and experience pain in the eye. A retinal tear can increase the chances of retinal detachment i.e. when the retina moves from its normal position at the back of the eye. Some of the factors that increase the risk of retinal detachment are: family history of retinal detachment, old age, retinal detachment in one eye, extreme myopia and severe eye trauma.
- Inflammation (uveitis): Eye floaters that are dense can be a sign of uveitis. It usually affects both of your eyes. Besides seeing eye floaters, you may also experience sensitivity to light and blurry vision. Those with chronic uveitis may need long-term care and need to see an eye doctor regularly.
- Vitreous Haemorrhage: The eyes are filled with a clear Vitreous ‘gel’. Vitreous Haemorrhage occurs when the blood vessels of the retina damage and blood leaks into this gel. Besides eye floaters, you may also experience blurred vision. The blurriness and other symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Though it is an alarming situation, once the bleeding is treated, your vision will be restored.
- Eye Melanoma: Eye floaters in your vision, change in the shape of the pupil and loss of peripheral vision can be signs of eye melanoma, a type of cancer that affects the cells that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its colour.
Treatment for eye floaters in Kolkata
If you are experiencing eye floaters, then an eye doctor in Kolkata can help you. . In some cases, the eye doctor may suggest laser treatment to break the eye floaters into small pieces and make them less noticeable. Surgery may also be recommended in some cases to remove the eye floaters.
Schedule appointment with the best eye doctors in Kolkata
If you are noticing eye floaters frequently, visit an eye specialist at the earliest. Though these eye floaters may be harmless, it is best to rule out any serious eye disease. Consult some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we request you to book an online consultation with our eye doctors in Kolkata.