When the tiny clumps pass in front of the light steaming into the eye they cast shadows on the retina, creating ghostly images of semi-transparent dots, lines and squiggles, explains Dr. As you age, it begins to liquefy, with some fluid pockets forming within the eyes.įurthermore, some bits of the vitreous will clump together – and this is what causes floaters. When you are young, vitreous is fairly thick and has the consistency of Jell-O. The interior of the eyeball is filled with a colourless, transparent jelly-like substance called vitreous. And the brain performs the role of a film-processing lab, converting the retina’s signals into images. The retina functions like film in an old-fashioned camera before the days of digital photography. The retina is made up of specialized cells that convert light into electrical signals, which are carried by the optic nerve to the brain for processing. Light enters through the cornea – the front window of the eye – and is focused by the lens on the retina at the back of the eyeball. In the vast majority of cases, they are no cause for concern and result from normal aging.įor some individuals, however, floaters – especially when accompanied by brief flashes of light – can be signs of an underlying eye problem that needs medical attention.īefore going into further detail, it’s worthwhile reviewing how the eyeball actually works. Although people may describe them in different ways, they are generally known as “floaters.” Does this mean there is a problem with my eyesight? Should I be worried?ĪNSWER: About eight out of 10 adults see similar things. QUESTION: I often see semi-transparent specs of stuff floating across my field of vision. Diagram showing retina detaching from the back of the eye.
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