What causes floaters in the eyes and what should be done about them?

Written by Jiang Wen Min
Ophthalmology
Updated on January 28, 2025
00:00
00:00

The occurrence of floaters indicates vitreous opacification, where the vitreous body is affected by the pathological changes of the surrounding tissues, such as degeneration, bleeding, and exudation. This is known as vitreous opacification, also referred to as floaters, characterized by vitreous clouding, liquefaction, and the formation and contraction of fibrous membranes. In general, floaters in elderly people are mostly related to age-associated vitreous liquefaction. For myopic patients, particularly those with high myopia, a sudden onset of floaters or an increase in the number of opacities, accompanied by flashes of light, should raise concerns for potential retinal tears or retinal bleeding. It is essential to seek medical attention promptly and have a retinal examination performed by a doctor for diagnosis. Therefore, if the retinal condition is good and the floaters are merely due to vitreous liquefaction, one should overcome psychological stress and deal with it rationally. If the aforementioned retinal pathologies occur, one should immediately follow the doctor's advice to avoid delaying treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
51sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

What eye examinations are needed for floaters?

Common eye examinations for floaters typically include B-ultrasound of the eye, fundus photography, uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, and intraocular pressure measurements, which help assess the extent of vitreous opacities. If the vitreous opacities are mild, meaning they are physiological, they generally do not affect vision and don’t require special treatment. Routine rest, proper eye usage, or treatment with amino iodine peptide eye drops may suffice. If the vitreous opacities are pathological, it is important to actively pursue medication or surgical treatments to attempt to restore some of the vision. Common pathological conditions associated with vitreous opacities include increased intraocular pressure, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal pathology. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

Can flying mosquito disease be treated with a hot compress on the eyes?

Floaters can completely be treated with warm compresses on the eyes, but if the purpose is to treat floaters, then it is meaningless because warm compresses have no effect on the treatment of floaters. Floaters can be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters. Physiological floaters do not affect vision at all; one cannot see clearly in dark places, but can see floaters in bright conditions. In such cases, it is only necessary to ensure adequate rest, use eyes properly, and appropriately use medicines like Ammonium Iodide Peptide Eye Drops, or Phosphatidylcholine Complex Iodine Tablets. If it is a pathological vitreous opacity, one should visit the ophthalmology department for thorough examinations and active treatment to strive for the restoration of vision. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

Can Polyfax eye drops be used for floaters?

Floaters generally result from vitreous opacification. For physiological floaters, it is usually not necessary to use proparacaine eye drops; instead, amide iodine eye drops and sodium hyaluronate eye drops should be used for treatment. Pathological vitreous opacification that affects vision requires further examination by an ophthalmologist and active treatment. Physiological vitreous opacification typically does not affect vision. It is only under bright light that moving objects may be seen floating in front of the eyes, which are less noticeable or disappear in dim light. Normally, taking care to rest, reducing close-up tasks, and avoiding eye fatigue should gradually lead to improvement, along with regular follow-up consultations. (Note: The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

How to maintain health with floaters normally.

Floating specks is a common ophthalmic disease, caused by vitreous opacities. It frequently occurs in patients with high myopia and the middle-aged and elderly, typically due to aging factors that lead to the formation of dot-like or thread-like turbid substances in the originally transparent vitreous tissue. When light passes through the vitreous body and is refracted, projecting onto the retina, it casts these shadows onto the retina as well, causing patients to see floating speck-like shadows in their field of vision. Patients with floating specks should take the following measures for care: First, maintain eye hygiene, do not rub your eyes; rubbing does not alleviate floating specks and may increase the risk of eye infections. Second, eat more iodine-rich foods, such as kelp, to promote the absorption of vitreous opacities.