Eye Floaters: What They Are, Causes, Types, Treatment, and Prevention 

Introduction

Have you ever noticed tiny spots, lines, or spiderweb-like shapes floating across your vision? They move as your eyes move and can be hard to ignore. These are called eye floaters, and almost everyone sees them at some point in life, especially as they get older. 

Floaters are surprisingly common. Research shows that between 27% and 63% of people notice them, and one study reported that 76% of adults have experienced floaters. Most people hardly notice them, but about 76% feel worried and 33% say floaters affect their daily activities^1,2. 

Usually, floaters are harmless. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially when accompanied by flashes of light or reduced side vision, can indicate a more serious eye problem. This may occur due to retinal tears or detachment, more commonly seen in individuals with high myopia (high minus power). In some cases, it may also be due to vitreous haemorrhage (bleeding in the vitreous chamber of the eye), particularly following eye trauma or in people with diabetes. Such symptoms require prompt medical attention^2,4. 

So, let us explore what causes eye floaters, why they happen more with age, and what you can do to keep your eyes healthy. 

What Are Eye Floaters?

The eye is divided into 3 chambers, the anterior and posterior chambers and the vitreous chamber. The anterior chamber is the area right behind the cornea (the clear window of the eye). The posterior chamber is the area from the iris (the coloured part of the eye) to the anterior part of the lens of the eye. The vitreous chamber is the space behind the lens, and this is where eye floaters commonly originate. This chamber is filled with a jelly-like material called the vitreous gel, which has tiny fibres attached to the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that helps form the images that we see. 

Floaters happen when the jelly slowly shrinks and clumps together. Some fibres break, and parts of the gel pull away from the retina. These clumps cast tiny shadows on the retina, which we see as moving shapes. Floaters can look like dots, lines, circles, cobwebs, clouds, or tiny flying shapes. They usually appear slowly and most of the time are harmless, so people hardly notice them. 

Floaters move when the eyes move because they float in the gel, but they do not move exactly with the eyes. If you try to look directly at them, they seem to drift away. Blinking does not get rid of floaters^2,4.

What Causes Eye Floaters?

There can be many reasons for eye floaters, usually related to natural changes inside the eye, though injury or eye problems may occasionally play a role. Some of these include: 

• Myopia (Near-Sightedness): Eye floaters are more commonly seen in individuals with myopia, especially those with high minus power⁴.
• Age-Related Changes in the Eye Jelly: As people get older, the jelly inside the eye becomes thinner and clumpy. These clumps block light and appear as moving spots or lines. 
• Natural Separation of the Eye Jelly: Sometimes the eye jelly pulls away from the back of the eye. This sudden change can cause many floaters to appear at once. 
• Blood Inside the Eye: Bleeding inside the eye jelly, often linked to diabetes, eye injuries, or weak blood vessels, can cause dark floaters and blurry vision. 
• Eye Injuries: A hit or trauma to the eye can disturb the eye jelly and lead to new floaters. 
• Eye Inflammation or Infection: Swelling or infection inside the eye can release cells into the eye jelly, which are seen as floaters. 
• Eye Surgery or Injections: Floaters may appear after procedures like cataract surgery or eye injections because of tiny bubbles or changes in the eye jelly. 
• Rare Conditions: Certain uncommon problems, such as protein buildup, calcium deposits, or tumours inside the eye can also cause floaters. 
• Retinal Problems: Tears or detachment of the retina can release cells or blood into the eye jelly, causing sudden floaters that need medical care^5,6.

While many floaters are harmless, the way they appear and feel can differ from person to person. Let’s look at some common eye floaters symptoms. 

Eye Floaters Symptoms

Eye floaters can cause different visual changes, which may be mild for some people and more noticeable for others. These eye floaters symptoms often become clearer in certain lighting conditions or during eye movement and include: 

• Seeing small moving shapes such as dots, bubbles, dark spots, cobwebs, or bug-like forms in the vision. 
• Floaters that move when the eyes move and seem to drift away when you try to look at them directly. 
• Floaters that are more noticeable in dim light or when looking at plain backgrounds. 
• Grey, shadow-like shapes caused by the jelly inside the eye shifting and blocking light. 
• Flashes of light that occur when the jelly pulls on the retina. 

To understand the cause of floaters, eye specialists ask important questions, such as how long have the floaters been present, whether they appeared suddenly, if there has been any recent eye surgery, or if there is a family history of retinal problems. The eye is examined using special lights and lenses to look for signs of bleeding, tears, or changes in the jelly inside the eye and to help identify whether the floaters are harmless or linked to retinal damage^4,6. 

Types of Eye Floaters

Eye floaters can be grouped into different types based on where they come from and how they appear in the eye. This can help us understand why some floaters are mild and common, while others may be linked to eye problems. 

1. Primary Vitreous Floaters

Primary vitreous floaters are the most common type. They develop from changes within the eye jelly itself and usually appear slowly over time. These floaters are often seen as thin lines, threads, dots, or cobweb-like shapes that move when the eyes move. They are more noticeable against bright backgrounds such as a white wall or the sky. In most cases, primary floaters are harmless and become less noticeable as the brain adjusts to them. 

2. Secondary Vitreous Floaters

Secondary vitreous floaters occur when materials that do not normally belong in the eye jelly appear inside it, for example, cells or blood. These floaters may look darker, larger, or appear suddenly. They are more likely to be linked with eye injury, bleeding, inflammation, or other eye conditions. Because they can be associated with damage inside the eye, secondary floaters may require medical evaluation^6,7.

Based on the type of floaters, the treatment is decided. 

Eye Floaters Treatment

Eye floaters are usually managed conservatively, as most floaters are harmless and do not require active treatment. Doctors often advise patients to observe the floaters and seek medical attention only if there is a sudden increase, flashes of light, or changes in vision. Treatment is considered only when floaters are severe, persistent, or significantly interfere with vision. 

The methods to treat eye floaters depend on how many floaters are present, how large they are, and how much they disturb a person’s vision. 

• Vitrectomy (Surgery): Vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery in which the jelly-like substance inside the eye is partly or completely removed. This jelly contains the clumps that cause floaters, so removing it reduces or removes the floaters. Today, very small instruments are used, and stitches are usually not needed. This treatment is effective but is used only in serious cases because it involves surgery and some risks. 
• Nd: YAG Laser Treatment: In this method, a special laser is used to break large floaters into smaller pieces. The laser is aimed only at floaters that are safely away from the retina. This treatment does not involve surgery or removal of the eye jelly. This method is used only when floaters are clearly visible, located far from the retina, and not moving too close to sensitive eye structures. 
• Medicine-Based Treatment (Injections): Some medicines that are injectable into the eye have been researched, but they have not shown clear benefit in treating floaters. Therefore, they are not commonly advised. 

Each eye floater treatment has its own benefits and risks, and not all floaters need medical treatment. Eye specialists carefully decide when treatment for eye floaters is needed. Let’s take a look at how to reduce floaters in eyes naturally^5,6.

How to Reduce Eye Floaters Naturally?

Certain nutrients and supplements, as listed below, can help protect the jelly inside the eye and may reduce the appearance of floaters. 

• L-lysine and inositol, found in cheese, eggs, milk, fish, nuts, beans, and soy, help keep the collagen in the eye strong and flexible. 
• Vitamin C and other antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, citrus fruits, grapes, and tea protect eye cells from damage caused by free radicals. 
• Polyphenols, found in tea, coffee, and grape seeds, reduce inflammation and support the structure of the vitreous jelly. 
• Iodine-rich foods, such as sea fish, shellfish, eggs, and dairy, support eye health and thyroid function. 
• Zinc and selenium, present in seeds, grains, fish, and milk, help antioxidant enzymes work properly and maintain normal vision. 

Including these nutrients in your diet and taking supplements safely, as part of a balanced diet, can support the health of the eye’s jelly and may help reduce the effects of floaters^5,8.

How to Prevent Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters may be avoided by protecting the jelly inside the eye and reducing damage caused by harmful substances. The following lifestyle changes may help keep your eyes healthy and may lower the risk of floaters becoming more noticeable over time: 

• Keeping blood sugar under control, as high sugar levels damage eye tissues and collagen 
• Eating antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, citrus fruits, tea, and grapes, which protect the eyes from damage. 
• Getting enough vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, zinc, and selenium, to keep eye tissues strong. 
• Drinking enough water, since the jelly inside the eye is mostly water and needs proper hydration. 
• Avoiding smoking and too much sunlight, as these increase eye damage. 
• Staying physically active and managing stress, which improves blood flow and supports eye health^5,8.

When to Consult a Doctor?

Floaters are usually harmless, but you should see an eye specialist immediately if you notice sudden changes like: 

• A sudden increase in floaters, which could mean a problem in the back of the eye. 
• Flashes of light with floaters, which could indicate a retinal tear³.

Conclusion

Eye floaters are a common part of ageing and are usually harmless. They happen when the jelly inside the eye slowly shrinks and forms tiny clumps. Most floaters settle on their own and do not affect vision. However, sudden new floaters, flashes of light, or changes in eyesight should never be ignored. Maintaining good eye health through a balanced diet, proper hydration, and regular eye check-ups can help reduce the risk and impact of eye floaters. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reference

1. Zhang B, Liu H, Zhu H, Sun X, Gao R. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding floaters among patients. Frontiers in Medicine. 2025 Jul 9;12. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1579435/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com  

2. Lumi X, Hawlina M, Glavač D, Facskó A, Moe MC, Kaarniranta K, et al. Ageing of the vitreous: From acute onset floaters and flashes to retinal detachment. Ageing Research Reviews [Internet]. 2015 May [cited 2019 Feb 28];21:71–7. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163715000343 

3. Eye floaters: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2020 [cited 2026 Jan 28]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002085.htm 

4. Bergstrom R, Czyz CN. Vitreous Floaters [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2022 [cited 2026 Jan 28]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470420/ 

5. Skowronek J, Święch A. Vitreous floaters – etiology, diagnostics and treatment. OphthaTherapy Therapies in Ophthalmology. 2023;10(2):103108. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373848805_Vitreous_floaters_-_etiology_diagnostics_and_treatment  

6. Milston R, Madigan MC, Sebag J. Vitreous floaters: Etiology, diagnostics, and management. Survey of Ophthalmology. 2016 Mar;61(2):211–27. Available from: https://www.vmrinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Floaters-Survey-Ophthalmol-2016.pdf 

7. Ivanova T, Jalil A, Antoniou Y, Bishop PN, Vallejo-Garcia JL, Patton N. Vitrectomy for primary symptomatic vitreous opacities: an evidence-based review. Eye [Internet]. 2016 Mar 4 [cited 2022 May 6];30(5):645–55. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4869141/#__sec3title 

8. Burakowska A, Święch A. The Role of Nutritional Supplementation and Lifestyle Modification in Patients with Vitreous Floaters. Ophthalmology [Internet]. 2025 Jul 2 [cited 2026 Jan 28];28(1):28–32. Available from: https://www.ophthalmologypoland.com.pl/pdf-207088-126689?filename=The%20Role%20of%20Nutritional.pdf 

9. Chen J, Wu H. Blue light from electronic devices may be an important factor for vitreous floaters. Medical Hypotheses. 2020 Jun;139:109698. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32244150/  

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