Eye Floaters: Why You See Spots in Your Vision and When to See a Doctor
If tiny black dots, wispy threads, or cobweb-like shapes suddenly start drifting across your vision, don’t automatically assume your eyes are simply tired. You may notice them while looking at a bright blue sky, a white wall, or your computer screen. They seem to move when your eyes move, and when you try to look directly at them, they may appear to drift away. These strange little shapes are commonly known as eye floaters . For many people, floaters are a normal part of getting older. They often come from age-related changes inside the eye and may become less noticeable over time. But there is an important distinction to make. A sudden shower of new floaters—especially when accompanied by flashes of light, blurred vision, or a curtain-like shadow—can be a warning sign of a retinal tear or retinal detachment and needs prompt medical attention. So, why do eye floaters happen? What do they actually look like? And how can you tell when they are harmless and when it is time to call an eye ...