Floaters are dark dots or lines that appear in a person's field of vision and that move along with eye movements. They are caused by small clusters or fragments of the vitreous body (the gelatinous substance that fills the eyeball) which, when floating, cast their shadow on the retina located at the bottom of the eye. While generally not a phenomenon to worry about, floaters can be quite annoying and some people would like to know how to reduce them. There is no cure for this disorder; ophthalmologists advise to be patient and get used to their presence even if, in really serious cases, surgery is used.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Standard Recommendations
Step 1. Move your eye
If you find yourself focusing on a float, move your eye up and down or side to side. This way the thickening of the vitreous shifts and you get some relief.
Step 2. Talk to your eye doctor about your problem
If you suffer from constant floaters that interfere with vision, new "flying flies" suddenly appear or you just have doubts about this phenomenon, then you should talk to your ophthalmologist or family doctor. Both will be able to help you understand if medical intervention is necessary, based on the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Almost all cases of floaters can be traced back to a normal aging process and do not require any treatment; on rare occasions, however, it is necessary to intervene.
- Go to your eye doctor at least once every 2 years for a checkup.
Step 3. Do nothing
Although this is a rather annoying phenomenon, the appearance of these floating corpuscles does not impair vision so much that it is disabling in normal daily activities. The brain usually learns to ignore them and adjusts the vision accordingly.
- Myopic people, those who have suffered eye trauma or suffer from particular diseases such as diabetes are more likely to develop floaters or notice them more frequently.
- The corpuscles may be visible and present for years and then slowly fade over time. If you notice any new floaters, call the eye clinic for a visit.
Part 2 of 3: Medical Treatments for Severe Cases
Step 1. If floaters are accompanied by flashes and flashes of light or a partial loss of visual field, you should see a doctor immediately
If not treated immediately, the cause of these symptoms could lead to blindness. Here are the serious diseases that are associated with floating corpuscles:
- Vitreous haemorrhage (bleeding in the space between the lens and the retina).
- Vitreous and retinal inflammation (caused by infections or autoimmune diseases).
- Ocular tumor.
- Rupture of the retina (when a lot of floaters suddenly appear).
- Retinal detachment (floaters are accompanied by blurry or blurred vision).
Step 2. Discuss with your eye doctor about any special care if floaters interfere a lot with your vision
Severe cases can be treated surgically, even if the surgery carries serious risks. In most cases, the risks of surgery are far worse than the disturbance generated by occasional floaters. Your ophthalmologist will help you decide if a surgical solution is suitable or necessary in your case.
- The risks related to this type of surgery are cataracts and retinal rupture and detachment; therefore the operating room is recommended only in really serious cases.
- Surgery is not a permanent solution for floaters, as vitreous thickenings can re-form over time.
Step 3. Get surgery if needed
In case you and your ophthalmologist have decided that surgery is imperative to reduce your discomfort, then there are some feasible procedures. Ask your doctor any questions you think are necessary to clear up any doubts about the surgery.
- The procedure called vitrectomy removes the vitreous body from the eye and replaces it with a saline solution or vitreous substitute, thus eliminating floaters.
- The ophthalmologist could also treat the thickenings with the laser to break them up and thus reduce the size of their shadow on the retina. Like any eye surgery, this procedure can damage the retina or other eye elements and optimal results are not always obtained.
- Cryotherapy, which cools the eye to very low temperatures, is used to treat retinal breaks and reduce floaters.
Part 3 of 3: Unverified Home Remedies
Step 1. Try taking supplements
Some professionals are convinced that certain nutrients help get rid of floaters. There is no scientific evidence and clinical studies to back up these claims, but some patients have benefited from them. Talk to your eye doctor before you start taking them.
- Incorporate antioxidant-rich substances such as turmeric and rosehip into your diet. Some research has shown that antioxidants have some effect in cases of macular degeneration, but not specifically on floaters. Rosehip is typically available as an herbal tea and turmeric as a spice.
- Try methylsulfonylmethane eye drops. This compound is mostly prescribed to treat arthritis, but in some cases it is also used in ophthalmology. However, the studies conducted on the use of methylsulfonylmethane for diseases other than arthritis have come to conflicting results.
- Consider hyaluronic acid. This compound has proven effective in the recovery process after cataract surgery. Some people use it to treat floaters, but it's still unclear if there's a cause-and-effect relationship.
Step 2. Take supplements that increase blood flow
The concept behind this advice is that a greater blood supply allows the eyes to better expel gelatinous proteins from the vitreous body. Again, there is no medical evidence to support it, so you should always speak to your eye doctor before starting such treatments.
- Ginkgo biloba: It has been shown to increase blood circulation in the eye and is prescribed for patients with glaucoma.
- Lysine: it is a vasodilator, which means that it dilates the diameter of the blood vessels, especially the major veins. Lysine has been shown to dilate blood vessels in some parts of the body, but not necessarily in the eyes.
- Blueberry: is used both to improve vision and as a vasodilator. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate its efficacy also in the treatment of floaters.
Step 3. Find ways to reduce stress
Another factor that could contribute to the formation of this irritating disorder is stress; for this reason, anxiety and tension management techniques can reduce the visibility of the corpuscles. Many people find that meditation, prayer, or even spending a few hours in nature help lower their stress levels. The daily practice of yoga, Pilates or tai chi is also useful for leading a more peaceful life.
