All of a sudden, you see one or more small dark spots or tiny squiggly lines in your field of vision. It’s distracting — especially if you work on a computer. The bright light from the computer emphasizes the spots, and they don’t go away. These types of spots are called eye floaters, meaning it’s time to see an eye specialist.
When you have a sudden burst of eye floaters, our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrist with Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, provide a comprehensive eye exam to determine if you have an eye disease that could impair your vision or whether the floaters are a nuisance that will fade on their own.
Eye floaters are often the result of aging. Just like the rest of your body ages, your eyes age as well. Your eye contains clear, gel-type fluid called the vitreous. Aging can cause it to shrink so that tiny fibers stick together and form clumps, creating one or more floaters.
When you have a floater, try moving your eye side to side and up and down, which may dislodge the floater from your central vision. Alternatively, try closing your eyes; when you do, your eye shifts beneath your eyelid. Eventually, gravity is likely to pull it down below your line of sight.
If you work on the computer, turn down the brightness and contrast to ease the distraction. Floaters are also very visible against a clear blue sky. Wear your sunglasses to minimize the contrast and to protect your eyes.
A floater now and then is usually harmless. However, if you see a sudden burst of floaters and/or flashing lights or a shadow over your vision, call us for an appointment right away. You could have a retinal tear, which can lead to retinal detachment and permanent vision loss.
If you have a retinal tear, we repair it using laser technology. We pass a laser beam through the pupil into the tear. The laser’s energy singes the edges of the tear, which causes scar tissue to develop that keeps the retina in place. The treatment may dislodge the floaters so you don’t notice them.
If you experience retinal detachment, your ophthalmologist performs a procedure called a vitrectomy. Your expert provider removes the vitreous, which is a gel-type substance that has pulled away from the retina. They replace it with a substance to keep the retina in place and ensure your eye maintains its proper shape.
Call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, today for expert eye care.
