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Anyone may see spots, specks, and lines floating freely across the eyes once in a while. Tilt your head or suddenly glance up and down and they may appear. They appear to be in front of the eye, but are actually inside. These "floaters" dart in and out of your field of vision in the fluid of the eyeball. They are simply stray cells or strands of tissue that float in the fluid casting shadows on the retina. The brain perceives them as being outside the eye.
While usually harmless, floaters can be annoying and interfere with clear vision. Age-related floaters appear gradually and are common. There is no effective treatment for them although new glasses sometimes help to focus around them. In rare instances, floaters can be a warning sign that your retina is going to tear. An untreated retinal tear can lead to a detached retina and blindness. SYMPTOMS OF A DETACHED RETINA INCLUDE: - flashing lights when the eyes are closed
- sudden onset of floaters or a rapid increase in them
- blurry vision and
- a shade coming over your visual field
Contact your eye doctor without delay or have someone take you to a hospital emergency department at once if you have these symptoms. Article #4517 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
