Floating clouds in the eyes
Symptoms
- Spots or filaments appearing in the field of vision
Diagnostics
Routine eye examination
Treatment
- Appears by itself
What are floating clouds in the eyes?
Spots or filaments appearing in the field of vision, especially on a light background. The appearance of mottling is very common and is usually nothing to worry about. Normally, they disappear quickly from the field of vision and are not disturbing.
If the clouding appears suddenly and is accompanied by flashes of light, contact your eye care professional or general practitioner immediately.
What are the symptoms of floaters in my eyes?
The flecks look like black or transparent spots or filaments, giving the impression that you can see something “floating” in front of your eyes. Most of them are very small and disappear from the field of vision very quickly. They are most noticeable when viewed against a plain light background (a white wall, or looking at the sky). You are likely to see more clouds in your field of vision as you get older, or if you are short-sighted.
The appearance of new opacities can be accompanied by flickering of light, such as bright streaks of white light flashing across the field of view.
In rare cases, haze and flashes of light can be a sign of retinal detachment, a potentially dangerous condition. Early diagnosis is important for the success of treatment, so if new opacities and/or flashes of light appear, it is essential to consult an eye specialist immediately.
What causes floaters in my eyes?
Nebulae are small clouds of fluid that fill the eye, known as vitreous humor. It is a jelly-like substance inside the eyeball. In childhood, the vitreous is quite solid, but it becomes more fluid as you get older. Clouding occurs when pieces of the vitreous begin to move around in this watery substance. The spots and filaments cast a shadow on the retina, affecting vision and giving the impression of something floating in front of the eye.
How is the diagnosis of floaters in the eyes performed?
During the examination, the eye specialist can see all the clouds in the eye and document their presence, thus monitoring for changes over time.
During the examination, the specialist uses eye drops to dilate the pupils to see a clear image of the retina. This checks for signs of retinal detachment that would require you to be referred to hospital for further tests or treatment.
If new clouds and flashes of light appear, you should see an eye specialist as soon as possible.
What help is available?
Floating clouds in the eyes are part of the natural ageing process. Normally, they quickly disappear from the field of vision and do not interfere. However, if you notice a higher than normal amount of cloudiness, contact your eye care professional to check whether the increase in cloudiness is a symptom of a more serious condition.
If the cloudiness is too bothersome and uncomfortable, your eye care professional may suggest a vitrectomy to remove the cloudiness.
Take care of your eyes!
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Frequently asked questions
Ar verta nerimauti dėl plaukiojančių drumstelių akyse?
Drumstelių atsiradimas yra labai paplitęs ir paprastai dėl jų nereikia nerimauti, tačiau drumstelės atsiranda staiga ir jų atsiradimą lydi šviesos blyksniai, nedelsdami susisiekite su savo akių priežiūros specialistu ar bendrosios praktikos gydytoju.
Ar galima pašalinti plaukiojančias drumsteles akyse?
Norint pašalinti plaukiojančias drumsteles akyse atliekama vitrektomijos operacija.
Kodėl atsiranda plaukiojančios drumstelės akyse?
Dažniausiai plaukiojančios drumstelės akyse atsiranda dėl natūralaus senėjimo proceso.
