What are Floaters?

Spots (often called Floaters) are small, semi-transparent or cloudy specks or particles within the fluid inside the eye that become noticeable when they move within the line of sight. They may also appear with flashes of light.

Does everyone have Floaters?

Almost everyone sees a few spots at one time or another. They can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as you grow older.

When Should I worry about Floaters?

If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of the spots, you should contact your eye doctor right away for an examination to be sure they are not the result of a more serious problem. In a comprehensive eye examination, your ophthalmologist or optometrist will look into your eyes with special instruments to examine the health of the inside of your eyes and may also observe the floaters within your eyes. This is often done after the doctor puts special drops in your eyes to make the pupils larger (dilating) to allow a larger view of the inside of your eyes.