In ophthalmological language, we call floaters myodesopsia. These are small dark spots or filaments that move across the visual field. These floaters are most visible when looking at a white wall and there is light.
To understand what floaters are, we must first take stock of the anatomy of the eye. “The eye is a sphere filled with a gel called the vitreous. It is a transparent connective tissue composed of collagen and hyaluronic acid. It is attached to the lens in front, and to the optic nerve and retina behind,” explains Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, ophthalmic surgeon. With aging, liquefaction and sagging of this vitreous occurs, leading to the formation of small holes. Hyaluronic acid will accumulate in the gaps, and these holes will be surrounded by collagen fibers. We are talking about vitreous detachment. “We see the condensation of hyaluronic acid and collagen, that’s what floaters are.”, adds the specialist.
Floaters: do they increase with age?
The appearance of floaters is linked to the normal evolution of the vitreous over time, and therefore to the natural aging of the eye. Vitreous detachment therefore occurs most of the time in people over 50, and there is no way to prevent this phenomenon. But besides age, there are other risk factors: eye trauma, repeated eye surgeries which could have modified the structure of the eye, but also severe myopia..
What are other causes of floaters?
In most cases, floaters are caused by vitreous detachment, which is the detachment of the vitreous from the structures to which it is normally attached. This is a normal phenomenon linked to aging. But the ophthalmological examination is essential, in order to eliminate other causes.
“If the posterior vitreous detachment is not serious, it is necessary to ensure that the floaters are not caused by an inflammation called uveitisor even by a retinal detachment which in the early stage also gives floaters”, recalls Dr. Zwillinger. “The situation is serious when the vitreous condenses and detaches, tearing off pieces of the retina, causing a tear.”, she adds.
Floaters: how to treat them?
The treatment is obviously that of the cause, but if the floaters are caused by a posterior vitreous detachment, there is no treatment. “When there are very large floaters, we can in rare cases suggest using a laser to remove them.”, explains the ophthalmologist. But this method is limited to certain very annoying large floaters, which can be individualized, and not to small floaters present in number.
Floaters are obviously unpleasant, and the more attention focuses on them, the more bothersome they are. Dr. Zwillinger recommends trying to forget about them as much as possible.
Thanks to Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, ophthalmic surgeon.
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