Eye floaters are a common but often misunderstood visual experience. If you’ve ever noticed squiggly lines, tiny specks, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision, you’re not alone. While they can be alarming at first, knowing what causes them—and when to get them checked out—is essential. Here’s what eye doctors want you to know about floaters and how to handle them.

What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that appear to drift across your field of vision. They might look like tiny dots, threads, or wavy lines, and they tend to be most noticeable when you’re staring at a bright, plain background like a blue sky or a white wall. Interestingly, they seem to move with your eyes and often dart away when you try to look at them directly.

What Causes Eye Floaters?

Floaters are usually linked to natural changes in the vitreous—the gel-like substance that fills the center of your eye. As you get older, the vitreous becomes more liquid, and tiny fibers inside it can clump together. These clumps cast small shadows on your retina, which appear as floaters.

While most floaters are a normal part of aging, in some cases, they can be a symptom of more serious issues, such as:

Eye infections

Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)

Retinal tears or retinal detachment

Who’s Most at Risk for Eye Floaters?

Some people are more likely to experience floaters than others. You may be at a higher risk if you:

Are nearsighted

Have undergone cataract surgery

Have diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy

Are getting older

Symptoms That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Most of the time, floaters are harmless. However, certain warning signs mean you should seek medical attention immediately. If you suddenly notice:

A significant increase in floaters

Flashes of light in your vision

A dark shadow or curtain moving across your peripheral vision

These symptoms could point to a retinal tear or detachment, both of which are medical emergencies that require immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

How Are Eye Floaters Diagnosed?

If you’re concerned about floaters, an eye doctor will perform a dilated eye exam. This involves putting drops in your eyes to widen your pupils, allowing the doctor to get a clear look at your vitreous and retina. The exam helps them identify any serious conditions like retinal tears that may be causing your symptoms.

When Are Floaters Considered a Medical Emergency?

Most floaters don’t require treatment, but if you experience a sudden surge in floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow moving across your vision, you need to seek emergency care. These signs could indicate a retinal detachment, a condition that, if left untreated, could result in permanent vision loss.