eye care support

Floaters and Spots

Floaters—sometimes called “spots”—are small, shadowy shapes that appear to drift across your field of vision.

While typically harmless and very common, many people notice floaters at some point in their lives. They tend to become more common and more noticeable with age as the eye’s internal structures change.

Many people notice floaters at some point in their lives. They tend to become more common and more noticeable with age as the eye’s internal structures change.

 

AP

Varying in appearance, floaters may look like:

Dust-like specs
Cobwebs or threads
Dark or shadowy spots
Small shapes that dart away when you try to look at them directly
AP

Some people also describe brief flashes of light, which can be more significant.

Floaters and Spots FAQs

The inside of the eye is filled with a clear, gel-like fluid that helps maintain its shape and allows light to pass through. Tiny particles of natural material can become suspended in this fluid during eye development before birth.

When these particles cast shadows on the retina, they appear as floaters. They are more noticeable in people who are short-sighted, but they can also occur due to:

  • Age-related changes in the eye
  • Eye injuries
  • Certain eye conditions
  • Changes in the gel inside the eye

Floaters can often be seen during a comprehensive eye examination. Using an ophthalmoscope, an optometrist can view the inside of the eye and detect floaters—even before you notice them yourself.

If floaters suggest an underlying condition, your optometrist will refer you for further assessment.

Floaters that form during eye development cannot be prevented. Most are a normal part of ageing or natural variation in the eye.

Most floaters are harmless and do not threaten vision. However, a sudden increase in floaters—especially when accompanied by flashes of light—can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a retinal tear or detachment.

If you notice a sudden increase in floaters, new flashes of light or shadow or curtain in your vision, you should have your eyes examined promptly.