Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety What Causes Eye Floaters? Eye floaters are typically harmless and not cause for concern By Luana Ferreira Luana Ferreira Luana Ferreira is a journalist with an international background and over a decade of experience covering the most different areas, including science and health Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 16, 2022 Medically reviewed by Priscilla Vu, MD Medically reviewed by Priscilla Vu, MD LinkedIn Priscilla Vu, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist based in California. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Eye floaters are generally caused by age-related changes inside the eyes. When you see floaters, you can see what appear like dark spots, lines, or webs drifting in front of your eyes. Floaters in the eye are often harmless and don't require treatment. In some cases, however, they can be caused by serious conditions, such as retinal detachment, and may require surgery. This article discusses the causes of eye floaters, symptoms to be concerned about, and how to get a diagnosis. It also explains when treatment is needed for floaters in the eye. Causes of Spots and Floaters in Your Eyes What Are Eye Floaters? The retina is filled with a jelly substance called the vitreous, a hydrated extracellular matrix made primarily of water, collagen, and hyaluronan organized into a homogeneously transparent gel. Also called the vitreous humor, this jelly substance is crucial for vision since it helps the eye maintain its round shape and transmits light into the retina. However, the vitreous doesn’t remain the same throughout life. When a person ages, the vitreous becomes more liquid, and small collagen fibers clump together, casting shadows on the retina and creating the floaters people see. This commonly begins to occur around age 50. Anatomy of the Eye Symptoms Eye floaters are often harmless. If they don’t cause discomfort or are not accompanied by other symptoms, there is usually no need to worry. However, they can signal a serious disease if they occur along with the following symptoms: The number of floaters increases suddenly Pain in the eye Flashes of light Peripheral vision loss Blurred vision Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Causes Eye floaters are often a normal part of aging. Conditions that can cause floaters include: Vitreous detachment: The most common symptom of vitreous detachment is a sudden increase in the number of floaters. People who have this condition can also see flashes. A person's risk of vitreous detachment increases with age, and it is most common after age 80. The fibers of the vitreous can begin to pull away from the retina with age and may lead to detachment. In severe cases, it can lead to problems such as retinal detachment and a macular hole. Retinal detachment: A detachment can occur when the retina is pulled away from its normal position in the eye. A sudden increase in the number of eye floaters, flashes of light in one or both eyes, or a shadow over vision are symptoms of this condition. Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, a structure located beneath the cornea of the eye, causes swelling and can destroy eye tissues. Uveitis causes reduced vision or can lead to severe vision loss. Early symptoms include floaters, eye pain, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. Vitreous hemorrhage: Bleeding in the vitreous can result from abnormal vessels that are prone to bleeding, normal vessels that rupture under stress, or extension of blood from an adjacent source. It is rare and occurs in seven cases per 100,000 population. This condition is related to diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Blunt or perforating trauma is the most common cause of vitreous hemorrhage in people under the age of 40. Eye tumors: Tumors in the eye can be malignant or benign, and usually don't cause symptoms. Depending on the part of the eye it grows or its stage, eye tumors can cause floaters, visual field loss, blurry vision, or changes in the way the eye moves within the socket. When to See a Healthcare Provider Eye floaters are usually not a reason for concern, but when there is a significant increase in the number of eye floaters, flashes, or other changes to your vision, see a healthcare provider immediately. Diagnosis An eye care professional can diagnose the underlying condition causing eye floaters with an eye exam. The ophthalmologist or optometrist will dilate your pupil so they can see inside the eye. They may also check for signs of a retinal detachment or tear. How Long Do Pupils Remain Dilated After an Eye Exam? Treatment Treatment for eye floaters depends on the cause. If eye floaters are not indicators of any other problem, they don't need to be treated. People often stop noticing them after a while and will usually learn to tolerate eye floaters when reassured that they aren't signaling an eye problem. When eye floaters impact vision or if there's a serious cause, surgery may be recommended. Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the vitreous from the eye and replacing it with a solution that mimics the vitreous. However, several risks are involved in this process—it can lead to a retinal tear or cataracts. There is also no guarantee the surgery will eliminate all floaters. It is also possible to have laser surgery that will break up clumps of tissue that are causing the floaters. Some people who have this treatment report improved vision; others notice little or no difference. There is a risk that the laser can potentially damage the retina. How To Get Rid of Eye Floaters A Word From Verywell Eye floaters can be a normal part of aging and are not a cause for concern in most cases. Getting your eyes checked by an eye doctor is the best way to make sure that your vision is healthy. Whether you are experiencing floaters or not, it is essential that you schedule an appointment with an eye care specialist every two years—or more frequently if you have a family history of glaucoma or if recommended by your healthcare provider. Routine eye exams can help catch and treat any serious conditions that cause eye floaters before the condition progresses. Frequently Asked Questions What are the main causes of eye floaters? Floaters in the eye are most commonly caused by age-related changes in the retina. The retina is filled with a gel substance composed of water, collagen, and hyaluronan. Small collagen fibers can clump together and cast shadows that appear as floaters as we age. Can floaters in eyes be caused by stress? Eye floaters are anecdotally linked to stress, but the connection is weak. One study found people with anxiety are more likely to have eye floaters. But the authors noted it is unclear whether anxiety triggers floaters or floaters heighten anxiety.Another possible link between stress and eye floaters is a migraine aura. Auras are commonly described as flashes of light, though some people may call them floaters. Stress can trigger migraines. When should I worry about eye floaters? More often than not, eye floaters are nothing to be concerned about, but sometimes they can signal a serious health condition. See an ophthalmologist promptly if you experience eye floaters along with any of the following:A rapid or sudden increase in the number of floatersBlurry vision Eye painFlashes of lightLoss of peripheral vision 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Milston R, Madigan MC, Sebag J. Vitreous floaters: Etiology, diagnostics, and management. Surv Ophthalmol. 2016;61(2):211-227. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2015.11.008. National Eye Institute. Vitreous Detachment. National Eye Institute. Uveitis. Spraul CW, Grossniklaus HE. Vitreous hemorrhage. Surv Ophthalmol. 1997;42(1):3-39. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6257(97)84041-6. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Vitreous hemorrhage: Diagnosis and treatment Cleaveland Clinic. Eye Floaters & Flashes. Kim YK, Moon SY, Yim KM, Seong SJ, Hwang JY, Park SP. Psychological distress in patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters. J Ophthalmol. 2017;2017:3191576. doi:10.1155/2017/3191576 Mayo Clinic. Migraine with aura. Additional Reading Milston R, Madigan MC, Sebag J. Vitreous floaters: Etiology, diagnostics, and management. Surv Ophthalmol. 2016;61(2):211-227. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2015.11.008.National Eye Institute. Vitreous Detachment. Updated September 8, 2020.National Eye Institute. Uveitis. Updated July 11, 2019Spraul CW, Grossniklaus HE. Vitreous hemorrhage. Surv Ophthalmol. 1997;42(1):3-39. doi:10.1016/s0039-6257(97)84041-6.Cleaveland Clinic. Eye Floaters & Flashes.Mayo Clinic. Eye Floaters.American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Eye Cancer. By Luana Ferreira Luana Ferreira is a journalist with an international background and over a decade of experience covering the most different areas, including science and health See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit