You can often see floaters or spots when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are small clumps of condensed protein or cells that form in the vitreous, the clear fluid that fills the interior cavity of the eye. Floaters may appear as specks, strands, webs or other shapes moving into your field of vision. You don’t see the floater itself but its shadow cast onto the retina, the light sensitive film at the back of the eye. Since the floater is within your eye, and moves with it, any effort to look directly at the floater causes it to constantly “run away” as your eye turns.
Light Flashes
Flashes of light lasting a few seconds may appear in your vision when the vitreous gel pulls or tugs on the retina. This may happen as a natural result of aging or it may occur temporarily if you receive a blow to the head or eye. Usually these flashes, which are often described as lightning streaks, are noticed at night.
The onset of new light flashes of short duration at night, especially when accompanied by the appearance of many new floaters or a blackening out of part of your field of vision, may indicate a retinal tear or detachment. If you experience light flashes in combination with these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor immediately.
What Causes Eye Floaters and Spots?
In most cases, floaters are part of the natural aging process. As we grow older, the vitreous shrinks causing the development of cloudy clumps of vitreous which are seen as floaters. The shrinking vitreous gel in the eye sometimes pulls free of its attachment to the back of the eye at the optic nerve. When this happens, a large floater is usually seen which can resemble a cobweb. This is frequently associated with the sensation of flashing lights as a result of the vitreous pulling on the retina.
Treatment for Spots and Floaters
Most spots and eye floaters are annoying but harmless and the vast majority of people with floaters do not develop retinal detachment. Whether you see clusters, specks, black dots or cobwebs, most floaters go away over time. Either the gel completely dissolves, or the chunks settle down to the bottom of the eye or (most likely) your brain learns to simply ignore them. There is no drug therapy available to eliminate floaters. People are sometimes interested in surgery to remove floaters but many doctors are unwilling to perform such surgery except in severe cases. If you suddenly see new floaters or floaters accompanied by flashes of light or peripheral vision loss, it could indicate serious conditions such as diabetic retinopathy; vascular abnormalities such as retinal hemorrhages or carotid artery disease, in addition to the beginning of a retinal detachment. Whenever you experience an increase in the number of floaters, with or without light flashes, you should call your eye doctor immediately.
Eye “spots” or “floaters”
Summer Is Here – Sunscreen & Sunglasses Are a Must!
It is important to protect your eyes against damage from the sun. Much like protecting your skin from harmful UV rays of the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses are a must when on the beach or ski slopes and when driving to prevent glare. In general, everyone should get in the habit of wearing sunglasses anytime their eyes are exposed to sunlight. Everyone is at risk for eye damage from the sun year-round. The risk is greatest from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Excessive sun exposure can cause loss of vision, cataracts, and even cancer of the eye.
UV rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation which can penetrate and change the structure of skin and eye cells, they are commonly divided into UVB and UVA rays, your sunglasses should block both forms. UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and are the principle cause of sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging of the skin. UVA rays have longer wavelengths and penetrate more deeply, contributing to skin cancer and aging. People who wear contact lenses that offer UV protection should still wear sunglasses.
There are many options to choose from when selecting sunglasses. Primary concerns are usually fashion related but keep in mind that the main purpose of sunglasses are to protect your eyes. Children should also wear sunglasses and not the toy versions, but real sunglasses that indicate the UV-protection level just as with adults. Polycarbonate lenses are generally recommended for children because they are the most shatter-resistant. Polarized sunglasses can be used for driving and, in fact, can reduce glare from a long, flat surface such as the hood of the car or the road’s surface. Lightly tinted lenses block roughly 70 percent of UVB and 20 percent of UVA. Medium-tinted lenses block about 95 percent of UVB and 60 percent of UVA. Dark-tinted lenses block an average of 99 percent of UVB and 60 percent of UVA. Sunglasses that wrap around or have side pieces sides offer protection from rays creeping in around the edges. You could also ask an eye-care professional to test your sunglasses if you’re not sure of their level of UV protection. Any protection is better than no protection 