Eye floaters: what they are and when to worry

Most eye floaters are harmless. They are small specks, dots, threads or cobweb shapes that drift across your vision, and they are especially easy to spot against a bright sky or a white wall. Many people have them, and they often become more noticeable as we get older. But a sudden change in floaters, particularly with flashes of light or a shadow over your vision, needs checking the same day.

This guide explains what floaters are, why they are so common, and which changes mean you should get help straight away.

What are floaters in the eye?

The inside of your eye is filled with a clear gel called the vitreous. Over time, this gel slowly changes. Tiny clumps and strands can form in it, and they cast shadows on the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. Those shadows are what you see as floaters.

Floaters tend to move when your eyes move, and seem to dart away when you try to look straight at them. They can be more obvious when you are tired, reading on a bright screen or looking at a plain background.

Why are eye floaters so common?

For most people, floaters are a normal part of the eye ageing. They are more common:

• As we get older: the vitreous gel becomes more watery and can start to shrink and pull away from the retina. This is called a posterior vitreous detachment, and it is a common cause of new floaters from middle age onwards.
• If you are short-sighted: people with myopia often notice floaters earlier in life.
• After eye surgery or an eye injury.

Long-standing floaters that have not changed are usually nothing to worry about. Many people find their brain gradually learns to ignore them, so they become less noticeable over a few months.

Flashes and floaters: when to worry

Sometimes, as the vitreous gel pulls away, it tugs on the retina. This can cause a tear in the retina, which can lead to a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment can affect your sight permanently if it is not treated quickly, so it is important to know the warning signs.

Get help the same day if you notice:

• a sudden shower of new floaters, or a sudden increase in the floaters you have
• flashes of light in the corner of your vision
• a dark shadow or curtain moving across part of your vision
• sudden blurred or lost vision
• new floaters after eye surgery or an injury to your eye
• eye pain along with new floaters

Please don't wait for a routine appointment. Call us, contact NHS 111, or go to A&E. If you suddenly lose vision, go to A&E. You can find this advice on our aftercare page, in the section on what to do if it's urgent.

What we check

If you come to see us about floaters, your optometrist will ask when they started, whether they have changed, and whether you have noticed any flashes or shadows. They will check your vision and look carefully at the health of your eyes, including the retina at the back of the eye.

At our Great Barr practice, retinal imaging takes a detailed photograph of the back of your eye. It is included with private eye examinations and available as a £10 add-on with an NHS eye test. Read more in what is retinal imaging.

If your optometrist thinks you need to be seen by your GP or the hospital, they will explain why and send the referral letter for you. If everything looks healthy, they will explain what they have found in plain terms and tell you what to look out for in future.

Living with floaters

There is usually no treatment needed for harmless floaters. A few things can help you live with them:

• Give it time: new floaters from normal changes in the gel often become less noticeable over a few months.
• Move your eyes: looking up and down can shift a floater out of your line of sight for a while.
• Reduce glare: sunglasses on bright days and comfortable screen brightness can make floaters less obvious.
• Keep up with eye tests: regular checks mean any changes at the back of the eye can be spotted early. See why regular eye tests matter.

If your floaters ever change suddenly, treat it as new and get checked the same day, even if you have been told before that your floaters are harmless.

Is my eye test free?

Your NHS eye test is free if you qualify, including if you are 60 or over, have diabetes or glaucoma, or get certain benefits. Otherwise a private eye examination is £30. Find out more on our eye tests page.

Book an eye test

If your floaters are long-standing and you would like them checked, or you are due an eye test, we can see you at Great Barr or Sheldon. Book online, or call Great Barr on 0121 325 0665 or Sheldon on 0121 742 9599.