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Eye Floaters Treatment
Eye Floater Treatment at Clarkson Eyecare
Eye floaters don’t always require treatment but they can impair your vision and be a symptom of other underlying eye problems.
Eye floaters are spots in your vision that may drift about when you move your eyes and can dart away when you look at them directly. Eye floaters are usually caused by age-related changes in the eyes, and often disappear on their own in weeks or months. At Clarkson Eyecare, our doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating eye floaters and restoring your peace of mind.
Find Eye Floater Treatment Near You at Clarkson Eyecare
Clarkson Eyecare can diagnose and treat eye floaters at any of our locations serving Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida. Click to find a location near you.
What Are Eye Floaters?
An eye floater is a transparent, small, curved object that you may see in your field of vision. An eye floater may take on the appearance of a cobweb, worm, circle, line, dot, spot, or speck and can be of various shapes and sizes. The spots are often caused by small flecks of protein or other matter that become trapped in your eye. An eye flasher is a momentary streak of light in your field of vision. Flashes may indicate more serious vision problems, including posterior vitreous detachment or a retinal tear.
What Causes Eye Floaters & Flashes?
A misconception about eye floaters is that they are caused by controllable factors, such as eye strain, nutrition, smoking, or emotional stress which is not the case. Floaters are caused as we age as the vitreous humor starts to liquefy centrally, which forms clumps or strands inside the eye. When vitreous gel separates from the retina, this causes a vitreous detachment which the brain perceives as flashes of light. Other causes of floaters may include:
Inflammation in the back of the eye
Bleeding in the eye
Torn retina
Eye surgeries and medications
Floaters are common, especially as we age. If the issue persists or you start noticing flashes in your vision, you should schedule an appointment with Clarkson Eyecare.
Risk Factors for Eye Floaters
Eye floater risk factors include being over the age of 50, being nearsighted, having recently experienced eye trauma, having recently undergone cataract surgery or having inflamed eyes or diabetic retinopathy. If you have any of these risk factors, it is a good idea to visit your local Clarkson Eyecare for an examination.
When Should You See An Eye Doctor About Eye Floaters?
You should contact Clarkson Eyecare if you experience more floaters than usual, a sudden onset of new floaters, flashes in the same eye as the floaters, peripheral vision loss, or impaired vision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Floaters
Eye floaters are a common problem we see in patients at Clarkson Eyecare. Approximately 70% of the population experiences eye floaters or flashes in their lifetime.
Generally, you do not need to worry about eye floaters, and most of the time they do not indicate a more serious eye problem. If many floaters appear at once or worsen over time, it’s a good idea to visit Clarkson Eyecare for an examination.
Eye Floater Treatment Options at Clarkson Eyecare
After your examination for eye floaters, time may be the only prescription. This is because eye floaters are commonly just an effect of aging and may go away on their own. Surgery where a small incision is made to remove the vitreous material or laser therapy may be recommended if your eye floater impairs your vision. At Clarkson Eyecare, we’ll work with you to develop a customized treatment plan.