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Floaters,
those little dots or threads that float around
in your field of vision, are small, and
semi-transparent or cloudy particles that float
within the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid
that fills the inner portion of your eyes.
Floaters are usually harmless and are seen by
many of us at one time or another.
They generally
look like translucent specks of various shapes
and sizes or like cobwebs. They are frequently
visible when you are looking at a plain
background like a blank white wall, a blue sky,
or pages of a book.
Floaters become
visible when they fall within the line of sight
and cast a shadow on the retina, the inner
lining of the eye responsible for sight.
There are a
number of possible causes for floaters. They may
be small flecks of protein or other matter that
were trapped during the formation of your eyes
before birth and remain suspended in the clear
fluid of the vitreous. Deterioration of the
vitreous fluid may also cause floaters to
develop. This can be part of the natural aging
process and is often not serious, though it can
be very annoying. Furthermore, certain eye
diseases or injuries can cause floaters.
Sometimes flashes
or streaks of light may appear in your field of
vision. This can happen when the vitreous
shrinks with age and pulls on the retina. The
retinal cells are stimulated to 'fire' by this
tugging action and cause the perception of light
flashes. Vitreous shrinkage can continue and
actually detach itself from the retina. This is
called a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD.
On rare occasions, this vitreous detachment can
cause breaks the retina, potentially leading to
a retinal detachment if not surgically repaired.
It is important
to have a comprehensive eye health examination
immediately if you are experiencing flashes and
floaters, or if you become aware of an increase
in the number or intensity of flashes or
floaters. |
