What Are Eye Floaters?
Causes, Symptoms & When to See an Optician
Have you ever noticed small dark spots, squiggly lines, or shadowy shapes drifting across your field of vision—especially when looking at a bright sky or white wall? These are called eye floaters, and while they’re usually harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of an underlying issue that needs medical attention.
At PW Optics, we help our patients understand and monitor their eye health. Here’s what you need to know about eye floaters, what causes them, and when to get your eyes checked.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that appear to move across your vision. They may look like:
Tiny dots
Threads or squiggles
Cobweb-like strands
Grey or black spots
Floaters move as your eyes move—and often seem to dart away when you try to look directly at them.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Floaters are caused by tiny clumps or strands of gel-like material inside the eye’s vitreous humour (the clear gel that fills the space between your lens and retina). As we age, this gel naturally becomes more liquid and can shrink or pull away from the retina, creating floaters.
Common Causes Include:
Age-related changes (most common in people over 40)
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) – when the vitreous pulls away from the retina
Nearsightedness (myopia) – increases the likelihood of floaters
Eye injury or trauma
Eye surgery or laser procedures
Inflammation (uveitis)
When Are Floaters a Concern?
In most cases, floaters are benign and harmless. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially when combined with flashes of light or a curtain-like shadow in your vision, could indicate something more serious, like a:
Retinal tear or detachment
Bleeding inside the eye
Serious inflammation
These situations require immediate attention, as they can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
How Are Floaters Diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing floaters, book an appointment with one of our qualified optometrists at PW Optics. We’ll perform a comprehensive eye exam using specialised equipment to assess your retina and vitreous humour.
If needed, we’ll refer you to an ophthalmologist for further investigation or treatment.
Can Eye Floaters Be Treated?
In most cases, no treatment is needed—floaters often become less noticeable over time as your brain learns to ignore them. However, for severe or persistent floaters that interfere with vision, treatments may include:
Vitrectomy – surgical removal of the vitreous gel (used only in rare cases)
Laser vitreolysis – a specialist laser breaks up larger floaters (less common in the UK)
Tips for Managing Floaters
Stay calm: Most floaters are harmless and fade with time
Track changes: Note any sudden increases or new symptoms
Book regular eye tests: Especially if you’re over 40 or nearsighted
Seek urgent care: If you notice flashes, vision loss, or a dark curtain across your vision
Book an Eye Health Check at PW Optics
At PW Optics, your eye health is our top priority. Our GOC-registered optometrists use advanced technology to monitor and diagnose changes in your vision — including floaters.
Visit our Stourbridge practice or give us a call to book your eye exam or retina check today.
FAQ: Eye Floaters
Are floaters dangerous?
Most floaters are harmless. However, sudden changes or a large number of floaters could indicate a retinal issue and should be checked promptly.
Will eye floaters go away?
They may fade or become less noticeable over time, but they usually don’t disappear completely.
Can glasses fix eye floaters?
No, glasses won’t affect floaters, as they are caused by changes inside the eye, not the lens or cornea.
Should I see an optician or a doctor for floaters?
Start with an optometrist, like those at PW Optics. We’ll assess your eye health and refer you if specialist care is needed.
How to reduce floaters in eyes naturally?
There’s no proven natural cure for floaters. However, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, and avoiding eye strain may help support general eye health. In most cases, floaters become less distracting over time.
Can dry eyes cause floaters?
Dry eyes do not directly cause floaters, but they can create similar symptoms such as blurred vision or irritation, which may make existing floaters feel more noticeable.
Can stress cause eye floaters?
Stress is not a direct cause of floaters, but it may increase your awareness of them, especially if you’re anxious or hyper-focused on visual disturbances.
Can eye strain cause floaters?
Eye strain doesn’t cause floaters, but similar symptoms — like visual discomfort or blurriness — can make you more aware of floaters that were already there.
Can an optician see floaters?
Yes — during a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can often detect floaters using dilation and retinal imaging equipment. This allows us to check the vitreous and retina to rule out more serious causes.
Causes, Symptoms & When to See an Optician
Have you ever noticed small dark spots, squiggly lines, or shadowy shapes drifting across your field of vision—especially when looking at a bright sky or white wall? These are called eye floaters, and while they’re usually harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of an underlying issue that needs medical attention.
At PW Optics, we help our patients understand and monitor their eye health. Here’s what you need to know about eye floaters, what causes them, and when to get your eyes checked.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that appear to move across your vision. They may look like:
Tiny dots
Threads or squiggles
Cobweb-like strands
Grey or black spots
Floaters move as your eyes move—and often seem to dart away when you try to look directly at them.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Floaters are caused by tiny clumps or strands of gel-like material inside the eye’s vitreous humour (the clear gel that fills the space between your lens and retina). As we age, this gel naturally becomes more liquid and can shrink or pull away from the retina, creating floaters.
Common Causes Include:
Age-related changes (most common in people over 40)
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) – when the vitreous pulls away from the retina
Nearsightedness (myopia) – increases the likelihood of floaters
Eye injury or trauma
Eye surgery or laser procedures
Inflammation (uveitis)
When Are Floaters a Concern?
In most cases, floaters are benign and harmless. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially when combined with flashes of light or a curtain-like shadow in your vision, could indicate something more serious, like a:
Retinal tear or detachment
Bleeding inside the eye
Serious inflammation
These situations require immediate attention, as they can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
How Are Floaters Diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing floaters, book an appointment with one of our qualified optometrists at PW Optics. We’ll perform a comprehensive eye exam using specialised equipment to assess your retina and vitreous humour.
If needed, we’ll refer you to an ophthalmologist for further investigation or treatment.
Can Eye Floaters Be Treated?
In most cases, no treatment is needed—floaters often become less noticeable over time as your brain learns to ignore them. However, for severe or persistent floaters that interfere with vision, treatments may include:
Vitrectomy – surgical removal of the vitreous gel (used only in rare cases)
Laser vitreolysis – a specialist laser breaks up larger floaters (less common in the UK)
Tips for Managing Floaters
Stay calm: Most floaters are harmless and fade with time
Track changes: Note any sudden increases or new symptoms
Book regular eye tests: Especially if you’re over 40 or nearsighted
Seek urgent care: If you notice flashes, vision loss, or a dark curtain across your vision
Book an Eye Health Check at PW Optics
At PW Optics, your eye health is our top priority. Our GOC-registered optometrists use advanced technology to monitor and diagnose changes in your vision — including floaters.
Visit our Stourbridge practice or give us a call to book your eye exam or retina check today.
FAQ: Eye Floaters
Are floaters dangerous?
Most floaters are harmless. However, sudden changes or a large number of floaters could indicate a retinal issue and should be checked promptly.
Will eye floaters go away?
They may fade or become less noticeable over time, but they usually don’t disappear completely.
Can glasses fix eye floaters?
No, glasses won’t affect floaters, as they are caused by changes inside the eye, not the lens or cornea.
Should I see an optician or a doctor for floaters?
Start with an optometrist, like those at PW Optics. We’ll assess your eye health and refer you if specialist care is needed.
How to reduce floaters in eyes naturally?
There’s no proven natural cure for floaters. However, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, and avoiding eye strain may help support general eye health. In most cases, floaters become less distracting over time.
Can dry eyes cause floaters?
Dry eyes do not directly cause floaters, but they can create similar symptoms such as blurred vision or irritation, which may make existing floaters feel more noticeable.
Can stress cause eye floaters?
Stress is not a direct cause of floaters, but it may increase your awareness of them, especially if you’re anxious or hyper-focused on visual disturbances.
Can eye strain cause floaters?
Eye strain doesn’t cause floaters, but similar symptoms — like visual discomfort or blurriness — can make you more aware of floaters that were already there.
Can an optician see floaters?
Yes — during a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can often detect floaters using dilation and retinal imaging equipment. This allows us to check the vitreous and retina to rule out more serious causes.