Eye Floater Treatment in Washington, DC
Eye floaters are tiny spots that appear in your field of vision. They resemble small specks or strings of material and will move as your eye moves. They can also appear to quickly dart away if you try to look directly at them. Eye floaters are caused by age-related changes in the vitreous fluid in your eyes. Small clumps of collagen form and cast shadows on your retina. They can also be caused by bleeding into the eye due to diabetes or eye inflammation.
Risk Factors for Eye Floaters
You are at increased risk of developing eye floaters if you:
- Are over 50 years old
- Are nearsighted
- Have eye inflammation
- Have diabetic retinopathy
- Have experienced an eye injury
- Have had complications from cataract surgery
Signs and symptoms of Eye Floaters
When you have eye floaters, you may notice:
- Small, dark specks or strings in your vision
- Spots that move when you move your eyes
- Spots that dart away when you look directly at them
- Spots that are noticeable when you look at a bright background
When You Should See an Eye Doctor
You should see an eye doctor if you notice these signs with floaters:
- More eye floaters than usual
- New floaters appearing suddenly
- Flashes of light appearing in the same eye
- Grayed or blurred vision in your eye
- Loss of peripheral vision
How Your Eye Doctor Can Treat Eye Floaters
Eye floaters that occur as a result of aging typically don’t require treatment. If eye floaters occur due to bleeding from diabetes or inflammation, your eye doctor may recommend treatment. Surgery or laser therapy to disrupt the floaters or remove the vitreous fluid may be indicated in severe cases.