Are the floaters in floater eye disease always black?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Floaters generally appear as black, fixed, variously shaped materials floating in front of the eyes, and are more visible in bright light than in dim light. This condition is called physiological vitreous opacity. If the color turns red or brown, it should be considered as vitreous hemorrhage or retinal pathology, and a further eye examination at an ophthalmology department is recommended. This usually indicates pathological vitreous opacity, which can severely affect vision. For physiological vitreous opacities, it is important to rest, reduce close-up activities, and appropriately use some Ametin iodide eye drops. Treatment can generally lead to improvement.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can flying mosquito syndrome be detected by B-ultrasound?

Floaters, also known as vitreous opacities, can be categorized into physiological and pathological vitreous opacities. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision, whereas pathological vitreous opacities can severely impact vision. In cases of physiological vitreous opacities, patients typically see unfixed, floating objects in their vision, which vary in shape and become more noticeable in bright light, but less clear in the dark. Examinations mainly include ocular B-ultrasound, fundus photography, and fibroscope examination, which can fully assess the extent of vitreous opacity. Once vitreous opacities occur, it is important to rest, seek active treatment, and have regular follow-up examinations.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can slit lamp examination detect floaters?

Floaters generally do not require examination with a slit lamp microscope; they are examined using A-scan or B-scan ultrasonography to assess the extent of vitreous opacity, posterior vitreous detachment, and the status of the vitreous in relation to the retina. Floaters are also known as vitreous opacities and can be categorized into physiological and pathological vitreous opacities. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision but appear as some floating objects in front of the eye, which do not change vision. These are more visible in bright light and less visible or absent in low light. If the vitreous opacity is pathological, it can affect vision and requires further ophthalmologic examination and active treatment.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Is floater related to wearing colored contact lenses?

Floaters are not related to wearing cosmetic contact lenses at all. Floaters are due to vitreous opacity, which can be categorized into physiological and pathological vitreous opacity. Physiological vitreous opacity generally does not affect vision, whereas pathological vitreous opacity significantly impacts vision and requires further examination by an ophthalmologist. Additionally, cosmetic contact lenses are worn on the cornea and mainly cause corneal damage, such as keratitis and conjunctivitis. Therefore, when wearing cosmetic contact lenses, one should handle them correctly, gently, and ensure the lenses are regularly cleaned and soaked as per guidelines.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can people with floaters drink alcohol?

Floaters refer to vitreous opacities, which can be classified into physiological vitreous opacities and pathological vitreous opacities. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision. Their main symptom is that objects floating in front of the eyes become more noticeable in bright light and less visible in darker environments or at night. Drinking alcohol does not affect physiological vitreous opacities. However, pathological vitreous opacities do affect vision and require active treatment and examination to alleviate their impact on vision. For pathological vitreous opacities, it is generally advised not to consume alcohol, to follow a light diet, to rest adequately, and to undergo regular check-ups.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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The difference between floaters and cataracts

Floater disease is a vitreous opacity, while cataract is a lens opacity; these two conditions are not the same issue. Vitreous opacities can be classified as physiological or pathological. Physiological vitreous opacities appear as moving objects in front of the eyes, which are less noticeable in the dark and more noticeable under bright light; cataracts gradually affect vision. Physiological vitreous opacities in floater disease generally do not affect vision, but pathological vitreous opacities do affect vision. An eye ultrasound shows severe vitreous opacities and retinal changes, whereas the cloudiness in the lens, namely cataracts, usually means the vitreous and retina are normal.