In addition, the back surface of the vitreous, now floating within the eye, will also cast shadows onto the retina, producing eye floaters. As the vitreous shrinks, this attachment to the optic nerve may release, and this former attachment now floats within the eye, causing one or more eye floaters that can sometimes seem very large and circular. The vitreous is normally attached to the innermost tissue of the eye, the retina, at its posterior aspect at the edges of the optic nerve. This shrinkage often leads to the back surface of the vitreous moving forward within that space. However, the degree of eye floaters produced by these typical changes will vary from person to person.Īs the vitreous normally ages, the gelatinous structure also begins to shrink within the space that it occupies. Any person who is over the age of 50 will have these changes within their eyes. In addition, it is normal for the collagen fibers that are within the vitreous to become thickened and denser with age, resulting in eye floaters. The boundary between each liquid pocket and the gel may be noticeable to the individual as one or more eye floaters. The vitreous gel naturally undergoes some liquefaction, resulting in small pockets of more liquid vitreous lying within the firmer gel. As one gets older, changes normally begin within the vitreous humor. This is unlike seeing flashes of light, which people often notice in the dark and with their eyes closed.Īny eye condition in which the clarity of the vitreous humor is altered can produce the symptom of eye floaters. In any eye that has eye floaters, that pattern of eye floaters may also change over time.Įye floaters always appear darker than the background and cannot be seen in darkness or with the eyes closed. If a person has eye floaters in both eyes, the pattern of the eye floaters within each eye will be different. Like fingerprints, no two people have identical patterns of eye floaters. Floaters are rarely seen in situations with reduced illumination. The density of different eye floaters will vary within an individual eye.Īn eye floater may be more noticeable under certain lighting conditions and be more apparent when looking at a bright sky. To most people, they appear as various shades of gray and are darker in color than the background. The lines may be squiggly, thick, or thin, and they sometimes appear to be branched. Some people see a single floater while others may think they see hundreds.

Patient Comments: Floaters - Disappearance.

Patient Comments: Floaters - How Common?.

Patient Comments: Floaters - What They Look Like.

Patient Comments: Floaters - Describe Your Experience.

What is the prognosis for eye floaters?.

Is it possible to prevent eye floaters?.

Can medication help to remove eye floaters?.