Do tiny spots drift before your eyes? Do these spots appear clearer when looking at plain surfaces like a white wall or the sky? If the answer is yes, then you must visit an eye specialist at the soonest. These spots may be seemingly harmless as they do not interfere with your vision, but it is best that we do not ignore the possibility of an underlying eye condition. These spots are called eye floaters. They may appear like spots, or cobwebs. You might see them moving across as, and when, you move your eyes. As we have already stated, in some instances, eye floaters are not harmful whereas in some, they could be a symptom of an eye condition.
Some of the common conditions that may lead you to see eye floaters:
- Diabetic retinopathy: diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that usually occurs in people who are diabetic. High blood sugar level damages the small blood vessels of the body, including the eyes. Uncontrolled blood sugar could cause blockage of the retinal blood vessels causing blurred vision. If medical treatment is not sought in time, it could lead to serious sight-threatening complications. As it is a progressive disease, the symptoms will worsen with time. Eye floaters, blurred vision, and difficult night-vision are some of the common symptoms. Linking you to a useful read that will help you in understanding more about diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal detachment: this is an emergency situation and medical attention must be sought at the earliest. The retina is the tissue at the back of the eye. When this tissue pulls away from its position, the condition is referred to as retinal detachment. If eye floaters are suddenly visible in front of your eyes, then you must rush to an eye hospital. If the retina is not put back in its place, it could lead to loss of vision.
- Nearsightedness: We see floaters as we grow old. People who are nearsighted, or who have had cataract surgery may experience eye floaters more frequently. A small number of floaters is not a cause of worry but it is always advisable to get them diagnosed by an eye doctor. However, the appearance of eye floaters with flashes is treated as a medical emergency.
- Posterior uveitis: uveitis is an eye inflammation that affects the middle layer of tissue in the eyewall. When the inflammation is at the back of your eyes, it is called posterior uveitis. With early diagnosis and treatment of the condition, you could prevent complications and preserve your vision. When suffering from posterior uveitis, along with seeing eye floaters, you will also experience pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision and redness in the eye.
Eye Floaters Treatment
The treatment of eye floaters may vary according to the cause. If your eye floaters affect your vision, then an ophthalmologist may suggest laser treatment. Using a laser, the eye doctor will break the eye floaters and make them less noticeable. In some cases, surgery might be performed to remove eye floaters. However, not all floaters can be removed, and it is possible for new floaters to appear.
If you are seeing eye floaters, visit Disha Eye Hospitals, or book an online appointment with our eye specialists. Our eye care team will carry out an accurate diagnosis of your problem. We offer treatment for different types of eye conditions and diseases. We have branches in Kolkata, Barrackpore, Siliguri, and other parts of West Bengal.