Eye Floaters
Eye Floaters Causes
Eye floaters generally occur because of age-related changes in the vitreous. The vitreous is the jelly-like substance that fills your eyeballs and helps them maintain their round shape. Millions of fine fibers are intertwined within the vitreous and said fibers are attached to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of your eyes.
Eye Floaters Definition
Floaters are bits of cellular debris that come and go without treatment. They are often seen as floating specks in front of the eyes but they are not really on the surface but inside. Floater among other people may look like spots and to some they may look like tiny threads.
Eye Floaters Diagnosis
Floaters are observed by doctors using an ophthalmoscope or slit lamp. Some floaters however are very small and doctors may not observe them thought to the sufferer, they appear large. Using background illumination may allow the person to obtain a better view of his or her own floaters. Using a pinhole to decrease pupil diameter may also do the trick.
Eye Floaters Symptoms and Signs
Eye floaters may appear like transparent strings of material, or floating dark specs within the field of vision. They appear to dart away when the affected person tries to look at them. This is because the floaters move with the eyes. Floaters eventually settle down to the bottom of the vitreous cavity out of the line of vision. They may interfere with the vision if the are numerous.
Eye Floaters Treatment
Most cases of eye floaters do not require treatment. Doctors may suggest a surgical procedure if the floaters are numerous and interferes with the vision. The surgery involves a hollow needle to withdraw the vitreous from the eye the vitreous is replaced with saltwater solution. The procedure however may not remove all the floaters and can cause retinal detachment and cataract.