While floaters, or spots, in your vision are usually harmless, there comes a time you may need to see an eye doctor to rule out something more serious. Let’s take a look at when you should contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist about the issue.
What Causes Floaters?
Over time the liquid in your eye, called the vitreous, can shrink and change as part of the aging process. These changes can cause the vitreous fluid cells to clump together and create tiny shadows, or what we call floaters. Usually, these clumps will sink out of your line of vision over time. Those who have had cataract surgery, or those that suffer from diabetes or nearsightedness, are more prone to floaters.
There are several eye conditions that can cause floaters. They include:
- Posterior Vitreous Attachment: This is where the vitreous fluid makes less contact with the retina.
- Retinal Tears: This is where the retina has been strained and therefore tears.
- Retinal Detachment: If vitreous fluid passes through the retinal tears, the retina can detach.
Paying attention to any issues you are having with floaters can catch these eye issues before they become unmanageable or cause permanent damage. Be sure to get an appointment as soon as you can, so that no further damage occurs.
When Are Floaters Serious Enough to See My Eye Doctor?
While floaters are usually nothing more than an annoying occurrence, they can sometimes be a symptom of bigger problems with your vision. You need to look out for symptoms such as:
- Experiencing an abnormally high number of floaters in a short period of time
- Losing your peripheral vision
- Experiencing unexplained flashes of light – these often occur in your peripheral vision
If any of these symptoms are occurring, it may mean your eye is going through a large number of changes very quickly for some reason. It is important that you try to keep a timeline of when the symptoms began and what has occurred to share with your eye doctor.
Our Experienced Eye Doctors Diagnose and Treat Conditions That Cause Floaters
If you are suffering from floaters and believe they may be serious, it is important that you do not ignore them. Letting them continue without doctor intervention can cause larger issues in the long-run, including loss of sight. To schedule an eye exam and have your floaters checked by one of our eye doctors near West Palm Beach, call us at 561-737-4040 today!