Eye Floaters in the Bay Area – Causes, Symptoms & When to Be Concerned
Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that drift across your field of vision. They may appear as specks, dots, thread-like strands, or cobwebs and are most noticeable when looking at bright backgrounds like a clear sky or a white wall.
Floaters form inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. Because they move within the eye, they often shift when you try to look directly at them.
What Causes Floaters?
Floaters are usually caused by changes in the vitreous over time. Common causes include:
- Natural aging of the eye (most common)
- Small protein fibers or particles within the vitreous
- Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the vitreous separates from the retina
- Eye injury or trauma
- Inflammation or underlying eye conditions
In many cases, floaters are benign and do not significantly affect vision.
What Do Floaters Look Like?
Patients often describe floaters as:
- Floating spots or dots
- Thread-like lines
- Cobweb or web-like shapes
- Small shadows that move with eye movement
They may seem to dart away when you try to focus on them directly.
When Are Floaters a Concern?
Most floaters are harmless, but sudden changes should never be ignored.
You should seek prompt evaluation if you notice:
- A sudden increase in the number of floaters
- New floaters appearing quickly
- Flashes of light (especially in the side vision)
- A shadow or curtain effect in your vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which requires urgent care.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
New floaters are often caused by a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which is usually a normal age-related change. However, in some cases, the vitreous pulling away from the retina can create a tear.
If a retinal tear is detected early, treatment is typically straightforward and can prevent more serious complications. If a retinal detachment develops, treatment becomes more complex and vision recovery may be limited.
For this reason, any new onset of floaters should be evaluated within 24-48 hours with a dilated retinal exam.
How Floaters Are Evaluated
A comprehensive eye exam may include:
- Dilated retinal examination
- Careful evaluation of the vitreous and retina
- Use of specialized instruments to detect tears or detachment
This allows your ophthalmologist to determine whether the floaters are benign or require treatment.
Don’t Ignore Sudden Changes in Your Vision
A sudden increase in floaters or flashes of light can be an early warning sign of a retinal problem.
At Peninsula Laser Eye Medical Group, we perform urgent retinal evaluations to determine whether your symptoms are related to a normal vitreous change or something that requires immediate treatment.
Call us at (650) 961-2585 or schedule an appointment online today. If symptoms are sudden or worsening, we recommend being seen as soon as possible.