Floaters

Overview

Floaters are the perception of drifting shapes in the visual field, caused by light casting shadows of opacities in the vitreous onto the retina. As the eye ages, the vitreous gradually becomes cloudy, and these opacities move with eye movement like flies buzzing before the eyes.

Symptoms

• Drifting spots before the eyes
• Move with eye movement
• Thread-like or dot-like
• More obvious against bright backgrounds
• Usually physiological

Treatment

Usually caused by vitreous opacities. Physiological cases need no special treatment, but sudden increases with flashes require prompt evaluation for retinal disease.

Dietary advice

Eat a light diet with plenty of eye-protective fruits and vegetables, and rest the eyes.