Floaters Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Floaters are the various small objects that you can see ‘floating’ and ‘floating’ in the field of view in your eye. Many people have floaters and are adjusting to not see them as a bother.
Floaters vary in size, from black dots to larger, thread-like shadows. Floaters can appear more clearly when a person looks at something bright, such as white paper or a blue sky.
The appearance of floaters is often associated with age. As we get older, the viscosity of the vitreous, which is the fluid that functions to fill the eyeball, will decrease. This leaves ‘dirt’ that pools or floats and appears as floaters.
Symptoms
The emergence of various small shapes that interfere with the visual field. This shape can be in the form of black spots, thread-like strands, lines, and so on.
Some signs to watch out for are sudden increases or changes in floaters, especially if accompanied by pain, flashes of light, and visual field disturbances. If there are these signs, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Reason
Floaters can occur when the vitreous (a gel-like liquid that fills the eyeball) shrinks, forming strands of collagen. These strands create images that are captured by the retina of the eye as floaters. In most cases, floaters are harmless and are a result of the aging process. Floaters can also appear for no apparent reason.
However, there are also serious problems that can cause floaters, such as retinal detachment, infection, inflammation ( uveitis ), bleeding, and injury to the eye. Floaters are also more common in those who have had cataract surgery, suffer from diabetes, and myopia (nearsightedness).
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of floaters is usually established through a medical interview between the doctor and the patient regarding the symptoms being felt. In addition, a physical eye examination will also be carried out. The doctor may do an examination using a slit lamp to evaluate the condition of your eyes.
Treatment
In most cases, floaters do not cause serious visual disturbances and do not require treatment. Giving eye medication will not make floaters disappear.
If floaters severely affect your vision, you may be advised to have a vitrectomy. This procedure is a method of taking the eye’s vitreous (which contains floaters) and replacing it with saline.
If floaters are caused by a disease in the eye (eg retinal detachment), then treatment according to the disease can generally improve this condition.
Prevention
There’s no way to prevent floaters caused by the aging process. Actions you can take are to maintain healthy eyes and undergo routine eye examinations.