Spots and Floaters

Spots and floaters appear in many different shapes, from lines and webs to shadows and clouds. A floater is actually a tiny clump of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear like fluid that fills the inside of your eye. What you are seeing when a floater moves across your field of vision is the shadow of the floater cast on the retina.

For many people, spots and floaters occur more frequently as they get older. During aging, the vitreous gel gets thicker and clumps more often, causing more floaters. Pregnant women also experience more floaters caused by extra protein trapped within the eye. Thickening and clumping of the vitreous gel - and, consequently, floaters - is common in people who are nearsighted, people who have undergone cataract or laser surgery, and people who have had inflammation inside the eye.

For the most part, spots and floaters are harmless. However, if floaters are accompanied by flashes of light, a more serious condition, such as retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy, could be to blame. A doctor should be seen immediately.

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