Friday, 13 February 2026

Floaters

 

Floaters


Image source

Small, dark specks in the eyes that slip away before one can focus on them are a common occurrence. Usually, they become less noticeable as one becomes accustomed to them and able to ignore them.

They are caused by the vitreous gel in the eye shrinking and clumping as it ages, throwing shadows on the retina. They do not require treatment, though they can be annoying.

However, if there is a sudden, dramatic increase in the number of floaters, particularly if combined with flashes of light, professional advice should be sought. If a dark ‘curtain’ appears to descend across the eye, urgent help is required, as this may indicate a retinal detachment. If untreated this may lead to blindness.

The Spider in Barry's Eye caused some excitement in 2011.

7 comments:

  1. Unfortunately I have been the "unlucky" recipient of a floater in my eye recently. I thought it was something that had fallen in while weeding the garden but it would not go away. So off to the optometrist I go & investigations revealed that it was indeed a floater. It is over a month now & has not gone away or gotten smaller but I guess my brain has adjusted to it.

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  2. It would seem wise as well as consulting Dr Google regarding medical matters, to also consult Dr JB for perhaps more accurate information.

    I seem to have so much to look forward to as I age.

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  3. So interesting. I think I've had one before.

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  4. I have scads of floaters. I see a ton of them when I look at something bright like the sky.

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  5. I had flashing floaters once. It was very alarming.

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  6. Never had them until after I had the cataract procedure. Now, I'm constantly batting at these mysterious floaters. Yeah at times I don't notice them. In the beginning they drove me batty.

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  7. My floater is a long little stick with one antenna sprouting from it. Had it for years. Sometimes I see it when I'm putting in eye drops. Linda in Kansas

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