Eye floaters: what they are and when to get checked

You look up at a bright sky or a white wall and see tiny squiggles, dots, or cobweb shapes drifting across your view. Try to look straight at them and they dart away. These are floaters, and most of the time they are harmless. But there are moments when floaters are your eye asking for urgent help, and knowing the difference matters.

What floaters actually are

Most of your eye is filled with a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous. Over time, tiny strands within it clump together, and the shadows those clumps cast on your retina are what you see as floaters. They are not on the surface of your eye, which is why rubbing or blinking does not clear them. They drift as your eye moves.

Why they become more common with age

As we get older, the vitreous gel naturally becomes more liquid and shrinks a little. This is a normal change, and it is why floaters tend to increase as the years go by. People who are short-sighted often notice them earlier. A few stable floaters that you have had for a long time are usually nothing to worry about.

The warning signs that need urgent attention

Here is the part to take seriously. See an eye care professional as soon as possible if you notice any of these, especially together:

• A sudden shower of new floaters, far more than usual
• Flashes of light, like quick sparks or lightning at the edge of your vision
• A dark curtain or shadow moving across part of your sight
• A sudden drop in your vision

These can be signs that the retina is being pulled or is detaching, which is an emergency. Acting fast can protect your sight. Do not wait to see if it passes.

Living with harmless floaters

If a check confirms your floaters are the ordinary kind, the reassuring news is that your brain usually learns to tune them out over time, and they often become less noticeable. There is rarely any need to treat them. What matters is that you had them checked so you know for sure.

A proper check gives you certainty

You cannot tell from the outside whether floaters are harmless or a warning. That takes an eye examination that looks at the health of the retina and the back of the eye. A Vision7 eye exam is our seven-step check and includes a visual health assessment, so you leave knowing exactly what is going on instead of quietly worrying about it.

Book a Vision7 eye test

New or changing floaters are always worth a professional look. Book a Vision7 eye test at your nearest Vision Express store, and if you notice sudden floaters with flashes or a shadow in your vision, seek eye care right away.

This article is general information, not a medical diagnosis. Sudden new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow over your vision need urgent professional attention.