Eye Floaters

[Snook]

Does anyone else suffer from these? I started noticing some in February and they have progressed to the point that it now feels like I'm looking through a "film" of cobwebs and dark spots. Very distracting and upsetting. I've been to two optometrists and both said that my eyes are fine and the floaters are normal. I asked if lifestyle choices like smoking could cause them, but they said no.

Just curious what everyone else's experience is with these and if they got better or if your brain adjusted to seeing them.

 

[Kobold]

I’ve gotten them for years. I started noticing them when I was in middle school and they have gotten worse with age but that’s normal. I go for a yearly eye check up and my eyes are fine according to my doctor.
Some days I notice them more. Usually when I’m outside. I just try to tune them out but it can be difficult. I wish there was a solution to them but not much you can do for them.

 

[Douglas]

I have them from time to time but nothing troublesome. ‘Film of cobwebs and dark spots’ doesn’t seem right. Guess I shouldn’t say it does seem right, rather it hasn’t been my experience.

 

[BingBong]

Hardly at all nowadays, but I was diagnosed with "pigment dispersion" some years ago and still medicate for it.

This condition is where movement of the lens abrades the pigmented part of the eye and small flakes of pigment break away. These can block the drainage channels of the eyeball and cause increased pressure, effectively imitating glaucoma. I take one drop of Latanaprost in each eye every evening to mitigate this.

Worth mentioning, perhaps?

 

[Snook]

I’ve gotten them for years. I started noticing them when I was in middle school and they have gotten worse with age but that’s normal. I go for a yearly eye check up and my eyes are fine according to my doctor.
Some days I notice them more. Usually when I’m outside. I just try to tune them out but it can be difficult. I wish there was a solution to them but not much you can do for them.

Sorry to hear that. I notice mine outside more as well; early morning and twilight are oddly enough the worst, which is a bummer because that's when I really like to sit outside.
I started taking a few supplements that can supposedly help (lutein, bilberry, daily multivitamin with iron and zinc, and fish oil). I'll report back if I see any improvement in a few months.

I have them from time to time but nothing troublesome. ‘Film of cobwebs and dark spots’ doesn’t seem right. Guess I shouldn’t say it does seem right, rather it hasn’t been my experience.

Glad they aren't too bad for you. Yeah, I think I've definitely got it worse than most experiences I've heard or read about. Frustrating, but what can you do.

 

[Snook]

Hardly at all nowadays, but I was diagnosed with "pigment dispersion" some years ago and still medicate for it.

This condition is where movement of the lens abrades the pigmented part of the eye and small flakes of pigment break away. These can block the drainage channels of the eyeball and cause increased pressure, effectively imitating glaucoma. I take one drop of Latanaprost in each eye every evening to mitigate this.

Worth mentioning, perhaps?

Interesting, I've never heard of that. I'll look into it and bring it up at my next appointment.

 

[sablebrush52]

Does anyone else suffer from these? I started noticing some in February and they have progressed to the point that it now feels like I'm looking through a "film" of cobwebs and dark spots. Very distracting and upsetting. I've been to two optometrists and both said that my eyes are fine and the floaters are normal. I asked if lifestyle choices like smoking could cause them, but they said no.

Just curious what everyone else's experience is with these and if they got better or if your brain adjusted to seeing them.

Had them for years. Were your eyes scanned or just a visual check?
Based on your description, scans would not be out of line.
I developed other issues which are currently stabilized. Fortunately I was accepted at UCLA Doheny Eye Center so my care is state of the art.

 

[woodsroad]

You need to see an ophthalmologist (MD), not an optometrist.

 

[Sigmund]

I was Just getting ready to post what @woodsroad said.

These are the only eyes you get and an optometrist just doesnt cut it.

Their training is limited.

Get an appointment.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I’ve had the clear squiggly floaters since I was a kid. I have a large darker one in my right eye from several years ago when I took a spill on the sidewalk and hit my face on the pavement (fortunately, covered with snow, which lessened the impact a bit). It’s still noticable and distracting, but the brain has done a decent job of canceling it out most of the time.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I’ve got a few that I’ve had as long as I can remember. As @TheIronMonkey mentioned, as with my tinnitus (bilateral and constant), the brain is great at workarounds.

That said, floaters that noticeably change or worsen (in number or severity) would prompt me to get my ass into an ophthalmologist ASAP.

 

[Snook]

Had them for years. Were your eyes scanned or just a visual check?
Based on your description, scans would not be out of line.
I developed other issues which are currently stabilized. Fortunately I was accepted at UCLA Doheny Eye Center so my care is state of the art.

One visual check from regular doctor and then scans from both optometrists. Good to hear you are being taken care of!

You need to see an ophthalmologist (MD), not an optometrist.

I was Just getting ready to post what @woodsroad said.

These are the only eyes you get and an optometrist just doesnt cut it.

Their training is limited.

Get an appointment.

I will get an appointment scheduled ASAP. Thank you!

I’ve had the clear squiggly floaters since I was a kid. I have a large darker one in my right eye from several years ago when I took a spill on the sidewalk and hit my face on the pavement (fortunately, covered with snow, which lessened the impact a bit). It’s still noticable and distracting, but the brain has done a decent job of canceling it out most of the time.

Could have been worse! Glad your brain is cancelling it out for the most part.

 

[woodsroad]

I’m blind in one eye and can only see reruns of “My Mother The Car” in the other. It has not affected my pipe smoking, yet. Should I consult a nephrologist?

 

[tbradsim1]

Went to eye dr, they had a machine that knocked them out, go to a good eye Dr!

 

[kcghost]

I guess eye floaters is just something I haven't got yet.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Had them since I was a kid.

One of them, in the right light, looks like a shrimp floating down my eyeball.

I was quite freaked out when I first noticed it.

Jay.

 

[Merton]

I have a lot of them in both eyes. They are sometimes accompanied by what seem like bolts of lightning which seem to go in a circle. First time that happened I thought I might be having a stroke. I see an ophthalmologist annually to make sure that I do not have a retinal tear. My physician has told me that while they can try to laser the floaters if they miss I will likely lose sight. Better, she says to try to get used to them. (Harvard teaching hospital btw). I sometimes forget that they are there. However, during times of stress and tiredness they are Really present.

 

[camaguey]

The source of the problem is a change of consistency on some points of the vitreous. If it is not something serious, it just comes and go depending if your eyes are tired and the surface you are looking. Not to worry about if that. Just take a rest of your eyes for some time and it may improve. If you feel you have a serious problem , then go to an ophtalmologist wich may give you a more complicated and invasive solution on the vitreous often ending up with the same results or worse. That was the suggestion i used to give to my patients when i was practing optometry several years ago.

 

[MattRVA]

Very interesting thread… I’ve got some floaters and my left eye is hazy up at the farthest corner, like something is slightly obstructing my vision, almost teary. Cobwebs seems apt. I had an optometrist appointment that revealed nothing but I probably need to see an ophthalmologist.

 

[troutface]

I see an ophthalmologist annually to make sure that I do not have a retinal tear.

Public service announcement, this is super important. The first time you notice flashes of light in your eye you need to see a retinal surgeon immediately to rule out a retinal tear or other possible health issues. If a retinal tear is left untreated you can lose vision. I tore both of mine and had surgery within hours and had no vision loss. When they stitched the retina with a laser they also did a vitrectomy, which is removal of your vitreous. They replace about a third of that with saline and fill the air space with a gas bubble. Over about a two week period your eye will fill back up and you're good as new. Plus removing the vitreous will get rid of all the floaters. My vision is better than ever. The only downside to a vitrectomy is that it will eventually cause a cataract, but that's easily fixed with surgery.