Floaters
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.
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.
ReplyDeleteSome days they're more noticeable than others, I find.
DeleteIt would seem wise as well as consulting Dr Google regarding medical matters, to also consult Dr JB for perhaps more accurate information.
ReplyDeleteI seem to have so much to look forward to as I age.
Ageing is not for the faint-hearted.
DeleteSo interesting. I think I've had one before.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteI have scads of floaters. I see a ton of them when I look at something bright like the sky.
ReplyDeleteSome days they're more noticeable than others. I've had the most of my life.
DeleteI had flashing floaters once. It was very alarming.
ReplyDeleteThat's not good.
DeleteNever 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.
ReplyDeleteOnce you realise what they are they cease to worry.
DeleteMy 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
ReplyDeleteSome days I don't see my floaters at all - at other times they're all over the place.
DeleteIn 2018, I had to undergo surgery on my left eye because of a gliosis (the retina had started to "pucker"). I didn't (and still don't) have floaters, but the operation involved emptying the eye of the vitreous gel, cutting the "puckered" bits of retina loose, smoothing the retina, filling the eyeball with a replacement liquid and putting it back in place. A procedure of about 3 hours, and I was in hospital for four days.
ReplyDeleteAll went well, and I was told that my body would start to produce vitreous gel on its own and the eye would gradually fill again. That was true, and for several days, I could observe how the level of liquid slowly but surely rose - it was most interesting, and I played around with it a bit, tilting my head this way and that - it was as if I had a spirit level in my head.
That is fascinating, and a very intrusive operation. Your experience of observing the vitreous gel filling is quite unique.
DeleteFloaters can be so annoying but they kind of sink eventually I find. The other things you describe make me have a heebie-jeebies reaction - eyeballs are so like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's worrying when we think about what might happen - but that's life.
DeleteThank you for sharing this. The signs aren't well known and it's important to protect your sight.
ReplyDeleteRegular check-ups are so important.
DeleteWell I have floaters, one of the joys of growing older. Had my eyes lasered over a year ago, scary, but it didn't hurt. Eyes are our window on the world, so treat them carefully. I darken my computer screen somewhat so that the floaters don't show up as much.
ReplyDeleteI had laser treatment a few years ago, too.
DeleteI have quite a few floaters now after my cataract operations. I have become accustomed to them but they can be quite annoying.
ReplyDeleteI think they're more noticeable when one is tired. I'm probably wrong.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good holiday, JayCee.
Oops! Just read your blog post . . .
DeleteGood information.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteLosing my eyesight would be the one sense that I think I would not be able to get over.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be very frightening, and not easy to adapt to.
DeleteI got a few annoying floaters after my second cataract surgery but I was told theyd probably disappear. I certainly don't notice them anymore.
ReplyDeleteI notice mine some days more than others.
Deleteagree with Tiggers mom on heebie jeebies, mine were caused by Libraian comment, since I am well aware of floaters but not what he went through. yikes. my floaters disappear completely until one day I start swatting at them before I realized they are showing again.. its good do know this because the flashing lights are a warning we all need to be aware of
ReplyDeleteBeing aware and informed is always a good attitude.
DeleteInteresting that you posted this today...My husband took his dad to the eye doctor yesterday and it appears that what seemed to be a web in his vision is acturally blood spots.. He now will be seeing an eye specialist.
ReplyDeleteIt's as well to check these things out.
ReplyDeleteYup, floaters from time to time.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteNow I have to worry about floaters, too?? Getting older is a bother, though the alternative is more unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteThe alternative is not to be welcomed, certainly.
DeleteI have a friend with huge ones. Scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteI suppose they are worrying until one realises they're quite common, though huge ones would be alarming.
DeleteCo-incidentally, I got rid of a floater in the downstairs loo this very afternoon... or is that what they call "too much information"?
ReplyDeleteI wondered who would be the first to pick up on the title - I might have known it would be you.😂🤣
DeleteHi Janice - I've had and have those ... thankfully not serious, just a nuisance. Good luck with yours ... and all commenters - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's more common than not, I think.
DeleteI have floaters they are ok.
ReplyDeleteYes, not a problem.
DeleteI would think that floaters would be very distracting at first, but I suppose one becomes used to them and the human brain compensates as parts of our body do for many of our "deficiencies."
ReplyDeleteWe adjust to what we cannot change.
DeleteI don't have floaters but do have a zig zag arch of colours every now and then, .Its not uncommon and I know of others who have a similar occurrence.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting.🌈
DeleteI've only had a few floaters. They were very annoying.
ReplyDeleteThey're more noticeable at some times than others.
DeleteMany of us as we age do see floaters - an interesting read, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I've had them most of my life - I must have been born old!
DeleteI remember my mother-in-law having this quite badly. Fortunately neither of us have had a problem yet. Very interesting to read about, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if some people are more prone to them than others.
DeleteI don't think I have floaters, certainly the optometrist has never mentioned any.
ReplyDeleteJoy's yet to come?
ReplyDeleteI've had massive floaters for years, blurring my vision now and then. My eye doctor advised me to roll my eyes one way and the other, in circles, to move them out of my field of vision. It works for a while.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting exercise.
DeleteThe vitreous gel is shrinking in my left eye as I write this. My ophthalmologist said my retina is ok right now and this is part of ageing. OH joy, another old age thing. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's fun, isn't it?
DeleteGiven that I have Morning Glory Syndrome in my left eye, I dread anything like this happening to my right eye!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so exotic, but when I looked it up I found it was less so, and very rare.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information about floaters in the eye and a good reason to get regular check ups with an optician, to make sure our eyes are in good health.
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