For many of us, eye floaters are a normal part of the aging process. For some, they look like gray or black specks, while others describe them as cobwebs or strings. Our eyeballs are filled with a jelly-like substance called vitreous, which helps our eyeballs maintain their shape. Over time, the jelly begins to liquefy, causing microscopic fibers in the vitreous to get stringy and clump. These clumps cast shadows across your retina and those shadows are floaters. While many aren’t cause for alarm, contact Urias Eyecare of Midland immediately for an eye exam should you experience any of the below symptoms.

When Floaters Become an Emergency

While periodic floaters aren’t a concern, you should see your eye doctor immediately if you:

• Notice a sudden increase or shower of floaters
• See light flashes
• Experience peripheral vision loss
• Have had a trauma or eye procedure
• Experience pain

These symptoms could be a sign of posterior vitreous detachment, where the vitreous is detaching from the retina. It could also signal a retinal tear. While almost 50% of patients with a retinal tear develop a detached retina, an emergency visit to your optometrist for an eye exam could protect you from significant vision loss.

Treatment for Floaters

For most patients, these spots are simply an inconvenience. However, if they hinder your vision and everyday life, your optometrist can perform a simple in-office procedure to break them up.

Laser vitreolysis is a safe procedure that directs a laser beam through the pupil, vaporizing and/or breaking apart those bothersome floaters. Your eye doctor will consider a number of factors, including location and size, your age, and how rapidly your symptoms came on. Patients with large spots due to posterior vitreous detachment that have soft borders and/or are located away from the retina are the best candidates.

The Optometrist You Can Count On

From pediatric to senior eye exams, the optometry staff at Urias Eyecare of Midland is here to help you preserve your greatest physical asset. Help us protect your vision, call (432) 368-4102 or visit us online to request an appointment.