You Can See Clearly Now: Blogs About Optometry

As people age, it is not unusual for them to develop an eye condition known as 'floaters.' This can be a little disconcerting when you first notice the presence of the floaters, but it does not always give cause for concern. Still, there are times when you should get in touch with your optometrist quickly as they may need to take some action. What do you need to know about these urgent situations?

Understanding Floaters

Floaters are tiny objects that are suspended within your field of vision. They are effectively microscopic pieces of debris that can naturally occur within the vitreous humour, the "spongy" substance inside the eyeball. Floaters can be evident from an early age, but you may be oblivious to their presence. They can certainly become more prevalent or slightly larger with the onset of age, but you will typically learn to live with them in any case.

Urgent Attention

You will need to take action if you notice a sudden increase in the number or the size of some of these floaters. Occasionally, you may also notice sudden flashes of light or changes to your vision, and in this kind of situation, you should call your optometrist as soon as possible.

Retinal Tears or Detachments

On rare occasions, a significant increase in the number or size of floaters may be a sign of complications with the retina, which is at the back of the eye. It may start to tear or become detached from the socket, and when this happens, small cells may find their way into the vitreous humour leading to this sudden increase. A retinal tear or detachment is a medical emergency, and you will need to go to the ED for consultation. After all, you may need surgery to reattach the retina, and this needs to be done relatively quickly to avoid any longer-term problems.

Replacing the Vitreous Humour

Some people may not develop issues with the retina as such but may find that the size or configuration of the floaters makes it difficult for them to function. In this case, it may be possible to replace the vitreous humour altogether with a special saline solution. In so doing, the floaters will also be removed, which could certainly make the position more manageable.

Further Information

To find out if you are suitable for this type of operation or to discuss the issue of floaters more thoroughly, make an appointment to see your optometrist. If you need eye surgery, they can then refer you to an eye surgeon.