Many of us have spots or faint strings that appear in our vision from time to time. They seem to move in our vision whenever we move our eyes. We call them floaters.
Usually, only a few floaters appear at a time, and they’re mostly unnoticeable. Sometimes, however, they can suddenly increase in number and become more prominent. These images in your vision may be caused by several different events happening in your eye. Sudden changes in the appearance of these spots warrant an evaluation by an eye doctor.
What Are Floaters?
Typically, floaters are proteins that tend to clump together within the fluid-filled cavity of the eye called the vitreous. Most people notice floaters only occasionally, particularly in bright environments.
We tend to get more of them as we age, but when these floaters suddenly increase in number, size and frequency, it may be a warning sign of an underlying condition.
A dilated eye exam is needed to determine if a sight-threatening condition has occurred. Your eye doctor can then identify what steps may be necessary to address it.
As mentioned before, aging plays a big role in causing these changes. For most of us, floaters are benign reminders of our accumulating birthdays. Other times, aging leads to health problems that can put us at risk of vision-threatening damage in the eye.
The most common problems associated with the sudden onset of floaters include bleeding in the eye, retinal holes or tears, and retinal detachments. These issues require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early management can help preserve your vision.
Book Your Appointment Today
Sudden onset of floaters can be concerning. Any time such changes in your vision are noticed, please contact us at Littleton Eye Care Center and explain what symptoms you are experiencing. If we deem there may be a more serious problem, we will schedule an immediate eye examination.
