Surgical & Specialty Care
Bothersome Floaters & Vitreous Evaluation
Understanding vitreous floaters — when they are common and benign, and when they require urgent evaluation.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters are small shapes — dots, lines, cobwebs, or shadows — that appear to drift across your field of vision. They are caused by changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. Most floaters are benign and related to normal age-related changes in the vitreous, including posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).
In a posterior vitreous detachment, the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina. It is common and often harmless, but it can cause a sudden shower of new floaters or flashes of light — and in some cases it can tear the retina.
Urgent Warning
When Floaters Require Urgent Evaluation
While most floaters are benign, certain symptoms require prompt evaluation and should not be ignored:
- ·Sudden onset of new floaters, especially a large number at once
- ·Flashes of light, particularly in the peripheral vision
- ·A curtain, shadow, or veil across any part of your vision
- ·Sudden loss of vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which requires immediate evaluation. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact our office immediately or seek emergency eye care.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
How We Evaluate Floaters
Any sudden change in floaters deserves a dilated eye examination, even if the symptoms seem minor.
- ·Symptom history — when the floaters started, whether they came with flashes, and whether any part of your vision is missing.
- ·Dilated retinal examination — dilating drops let us examine the vitreous and the full retina, including the far edges where tears are most likely to occur.
- ·Monitoring when floaters are benign — we explain what to watch for and when to come back.
- ·Referral when indicated — if we find a retinal concern, we coordinate prompt referral and stay involved in your follow-up.
Persistent, Visually Disruptive Floaters
Some patients experience floaters that are persistent, visually disruptive, and significantly affect quality of life. While not all floaters require treatment, patients with bothersome floaters that do not resolve may benefit from additional evaluation to discuss their options. We do not imply that all floaters need treatment.
Related Services
Schedule an Evaluation
Contact Bronx Vision Center to schedule a vitreous or floater evaluation.