Are Eye Floaters Anything To Worry About?

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If you've ever noticed the presence of floating spots in front of your eyes? If you have floaters and have been alarmed by them, your anxiety is understandable. In some instances, floaters are a completely normal part of life, but in others, they can be a sign that something's seriously wrong. This guide will explain what causes floaters and whether you should be worried or not.

"Normal" Floaters and their Causes

Many people experience floaters in front of their eyes, and it's actually a common part of aging. Floaters aren't a hallucination or optical illusion, but actually a substance inside your eyes. The fluid inside your eyes, called vitreous humor, sometimes casts shadows onto your retina, creating the image of a floater. As people grow older, floaters become more common, but they're not dangerous in any way. 

Abnormal Floaters

Floaters aren't always a normal part of life, however. If you have a high quantity of floaters that are visible all the time, there may be a different cause. Uveitis is an inflammatory disease that can cause high quantities of floaters that are more noticeable than regular floaters. While normal floaters can usually only be seen when staring at a non-moving surface or at a bright sky, uveitis floaters may drift over your eyes at any time. 

Other Symptoms of Uveitis

While floaters are one common symptom caused by uveitis, they aren't the main symptom, and they still aren't in and of themselves harmful. If you're having any of these other symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist right away:

  • Blurred Vision - Uveitis causes inflammation and tissue damage in the eye, which may cause vision to become blurred as a result.
  • Pain - Like inflammation in any other part of the body, eyes afflicted with uveitis may be itchy and painful, or sensitive to pressure.
  • Redness - Redness is another potential sign of inflammation. Redness may appear anywhere on the eye, including the white of the eye or the pupil.

In addition, if you already have an auto-immune disease, you have a higher likelihood of developing uveitis, which is also an auto-immune disease. Essentially, an auto-immune disease means that the immune system in your body is attacking healthy cells, which can include the eyes.

Treatment

If you think there's any chance that you may have uveitis, you should see an ophthalmologist right away. Immediate treatment is needed to control the inflammation. Your ophthalmologist will most likely prescribe steroid eye drops to stop the immune system from attacking healthy cells in your eyes.

If you think your floaters are normal, or a doctor's visit deems them to be normal, just rest easy and know that it's a normal part of life, and nothing's wrong with your eyes.

Floaters can be a little alarming the first time you notice them, but with regular eye checkups, you have nothing to worry about. To visit an eye doctor, contact a company such as Arizona Eye Specialists.

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24 December 2015

A New You

Growing up, one of my best friends was also my cousin. This special cousin and I shared something in common. We both had fiery red hair. When we were kids, many people thought we were sisters when they saw us together. Sadly, my cousin was born with crossed eyes, and because of her condition, she was often ridiculed by the other kids at school. As we grew older we began researching modern ways to correct her problem. Together we found the perfect solution. If you were born with crossed eyes, don’t despair. You do have hope. On this blog, you will discover the latest treatments optometrists use to help cure a patient’s crossed eyes.