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"FLOATERS" IN YOUR FIELD OF VISION. "Floaters" or objects constantly floating and drifting in front of your eyes can be a worrisome and bothersome problem. These opacities normally occur in the jelly or vitreous of the eye and their shapes may mimic different objects. Patients often refer to them as "spots", "spiders", "gnats", "cobwebs", "flies", "soot" and many other descriptions. Combinations of these are often also mentioned.
The objects continue to move or drift for a short time after the eye has come to rest after looking in a certain direction - hence the name "floaters."
They are more commonly seen when looking at a plain, bright background. They are simply collections of collagen fibres in the
vitreous which cast a shadow onto the retina.While they may be bothersome, especially if they are located centrally, they normally are not of great clinical significance and are felt to be a natural consequence of degenerative changes (due to aging) in the vitreous.
There are instances however where they need to be further investigated, especially if there is a sudden change in their appearance or number.
These changes warrant a thorough examination by your ophthalmologist.Often new "floaters" in middle-aged or elderly persons are a result of a vitreous detachment. The vitreous jelly contracts with age, pulls loose from its attachment to the retina and then proceeds to peel away from the retinal surface, sometimes producing the effect of light flashes in the eye. This is usually an innocent process.
However, occasionally adhesions exist that may result in retinal tears during vitreous detachment. This could be followed by a retinal detachment which is a potentially blinding and very serious condition.
Therefore the detection of new "floaters" or light flashes warrants a thorough investigation by your ophthalmologist.
It is a well-known phenomenon that "floaters" become more prominent when the person who has them is under stress.
A clinical case scenario between a middle-aged patient and her eye specialist follows. It will include aspects of "floaters" not discussed previously. Patient: Doctor, I have noticed something in my field of vision which has been bothering me for a while now.
Doctor: Please describe it.
Patient: I cannot describe it precisely, but it seems as though there are little black specks in my vision. They bother me especially when I read. When I get to the end of a sentence, they continue further across the page. I'm getting concerned because I think they are getting worse. They are especially bad when I am nervous.
Doctor: There are a number of possibilities. It can be a normal occurrence and most probably is.
When the jelly of the eye gets older, it undergoes changes which makes it less transparent in some places. Should you see one of these areas, your eye interprets it as a"floater".
It occurs commonly in near sighted persons and also in middle-aged and older persons. They can also be caused by small hemorrhages into the vitreous due to retinal tears or diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other disorders.
We will have to dilate your pupils and do a thorough examination of the inside of the eye to evaluate the vitreous and retina.Patient: What does that entail, doctor?
Doctor: I am going to instill a few eyedrops into your eyes and after
15 to 20 minutes, your pupils should have enlarged sufficiently to enable me to have a look into the back part of the eye and establish what is going on.Patient: What effect will the eyedrops have on my eyes?
Doctor: Because your pupils are enlarged and will not be able to constrict for the next 2 or 3 hours, you will be light sensitive in bright light. You will also have difficulty in reading or seeing objects near to you. Usually your distance vision will not be greatly affected.
Patient: Will I still be able to drive after the examination?
Doctor: I think you should be driven home by someone else. If no one is with you today we can phone and arrange transportation before we start dilating your pupils. If you can't arrange transportation today, It would be better to do it another day when you can be driven home after the examination.
Most "floaters" are harmless but should never be dismissed as such until a thorough examination has been performed. Our advice is to see your ophthalmologist if you are bothered by "floaters." If they are accompanied by light flashes or suddenly change in shape or number,
our advice is to see your ophthalmologist without delay.If you have any further questions regarding floaters, please consult your eye specialist.