Do you ever get “eye floaters”? Those little specks in the corner of your vision can be a nuisance, but there are things you can do about them. Learn how to get rid of eye floaters and whether or not you should be worried about their presence.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Not everybody gets eye floaters, but if you do, you know they can be unsettling. Eye floaters are the common term for the small specks, squiggles, or other tiny visual disturbances that can pop up in the corner of our vision. They usually hover at the edges of our sight, and can even dart away if looked at directly. While they are painless and appear harmless, anything that affects your vision is worth discussing with an optometrist. So, where do floaters come from? What do they mean? And most importantly, how can we make them disappear?
Eye Floaters Are Usually Harmless, But Not Always
The good news about eye floaters is that they usually are as harmless as they appear. Eye floaters typically occur because of the way our eyes change as we age. As we get older, the vitreous (or jelly-like substance) inside our eyeballs becomes more liquified. When this happens, tiny fibers can get trapped in the vitreous and cast a visible shadow on the retina. These shadows are what we perceive as floaters. It is a normal part of aging, and it is especially common for seniors, nearsighted people, and those with existing eye conditions.
If you have floaters, it’s a good idea to let your optometrist know about them, but they do not rise to the level of an emergency. If you regularly see an optometrist, you can safely save them for your annual eye wellness exam. If you do not, it’s a good time to make an appointment.
On the other hand, if you are suddenly seeing far more floaters than usual accompanied by other vision changes, you should seek medical attention immediately. In rare cases, this can indicate retinal detachment, a condition that can cause vision loss.
How to Get Rid of Eye Floaters
Even if the floaters you’re experiencing are of the harmless variety, that doesn’t make them less annoying. So you may wonder how to get rid of eye floaters. In many cases, it is possible to get rid of them. Several different treatments are available, but the best person to help you tackle this problem is your eye doctor. So if you’re concerned about eye floaters, make an appointment with your optometrist today. You can discuss your eye health, your specific situation when it comes to eye floaters, and whether treatment options are available and advisable.
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While common and often harmless, eye floaters can be frustrating. Contact your optometrist today to explore your eye health and treatment options.
Are you looking for an optometrist to answer your questions? If you live near southwest Missouri, stop by Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location).