If you’ve ever noticed strange looking spots, shadows or “strings” drifting along your line of vision, you could be experiencing eye floaters. Floaters can take on different shapes and may look like squiggly lines, clouds, spider webs, strands of thread, specks or spots. They may be more obvious after looking at a bright light. For the most part, floaters are harmless and most people get used to them over time. An eye exam from our Urias Eyecare optometrist, Dr. Urias, serving Midland, TX, Odessa, TX, and Andrews, TX, can determine the extent you have floaters and the effect, if any, that they’re having on your sight.
Causes of Eye Floaters
Like many eye conditions, floaters are a condition that can occur any time in life but are more prevalent in your senior years. As you age, tiny pieces of collagen can tear away from the vitreous of your eye and drift around inside your eye. These collagen pieces along your line of vision are floaters. You’re at greater risk of getting floaters if you’re nearsighted, have had cataract surgery, or have suffered from an eye condition or injury.
Floaters can be bothersome in the beginning, but most people simply adjust to their appearance over time. Normally, floaters have little, if any, impact on the quality of your sight.
When to See Our Eye Doctor
Although floaters can occur naturally as you age, under certain circumstances, floaters could become a problem. You should notify your eye care specialist if:
- You notice a sudden increase in the size or frequency of your floaters
- You experience flashes of light along with your floaters
- You see a shadow in your peripheral vision
- Your vision suddenly becomes obstructed by a grey “curtain”
These symptoms could be signs of a problem with your retina, which is a serious eye condition that requires immediate treatment.
Importance of Routine Eye Exams
Whether you have floaters or not, it’s important to schedule routine eye exams as you age so our eye doctor can monitor your eye health and vision on a regular basis. As you age, you’re more prone to develop eye problems that impact your vision. Catching these problems early will enable you to get treatment that can help prevent permanent vision loss. By working closely with our optometrist, serving Midland, Odessa, and Andrews, as you get older, you can look forward to fewer vision problems as you enter your golden years.
Get Eye Care from Our Eye Doctor Serving Midland, Odessa, and Andrews
From eye exams to diagnosis of eye conditions and diseases and everything in between, contact our Urias Eyecare optometrist, Dr. Urias, serving Midland, TX, Odessa, TX, and Andrews, TX, at (432) 368-4102 for all your eye care needs.
