Eye Floaters May Save Your Vision

Turn to look at a blank wall and you may notice those shadowy specks near the edge of your vision, perhaps best known as eye floaters. Eye floaters can happen to anyone as they are part of the vitreous, the jelly-like substance nestled between the lens and retina. These floaters happen when the vitreous pulls tiny fibers away from the retina.

Age also factors heavily into the presence of floaters, though they can also be caused by inflammation, infection or hemorrhaging. Generally, floaters are harmless nuisances. However, if you begin to notice an unusual amount of them, they may affect your vision and could be an indicator that something serious is amiss in your eyes.

A large increase in floaters is considered one of the potential symptoms of retinal detachment, a serious eye disorder. Retinal detachment can happen without any warning and there is no pain to indicate something may be wrong. If you’re seeing numerous floaters and also experiencing other symptoms such as reduced or blurred vision or unusual flashes of light, you should seek medical attention.

This information is presented by Retina Macula Specialists of Miami, the largest private retina practice in the city. We are a nationally acclaimed retina practice dedicated to the medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases. Each of our extensively trained doctors is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and ready to help treat eye diseases such as branch retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration, and more. We have three convenient locations in Miami, Coral Gables, and North Miami Beach. For contact information or to request an appointment, please visit https://www.retinamaculamiami.com.