Don’t Let Spring Allergies Ruin Your Vision: A Survival Guide
Spring is here, and everything is great! Unless you have eye allergies, in which case your vision might be suffering. Here’s what you can do about it.
Suddenly Seeing Floaters? What’s Normal and What Needs Attention
Most people have them. You probably do, even if you don’t notice them daily. Occasionally, though, they drift across your vision, and when they do, you may wonder: Is this normal? Should I call my eye doctor? What’s going on?
We’re talking about eye floaters. To answer the questions above: Yes, they’re normal — more than 75% of people report having them. You need to call your doctor only if you experience additional symptoms. And to find out what’s going on, keep reading.
Our team at Berkeley Heights Eye Group in New Providence, New Jersey, frequently answers questions like these from our patients. Here’s what we tell them.
What are floaters?
Floaters are faint spots in your field of vision that seem to drift in and out of your direct line of sight. They might look like small dots, spider webs, or strings. You may notice them more when looking at a bright, plain background, such as a light-colored wall or the blue sky.
Your eye contains a semi-liquid or gel-like substance called the vitreous, which gradually becomes more liquid as you get older. When that happens, small fibers in the liquid clump together and cast shadows on your retina, the back part of your eye.
Your eye perceives these shadows as the floaters that dart in and out of your vision.
When floaters don’t need treatment
In most cases, floaters are harmless and don’t require any treatment. They usually develop gradually and become particularly noticeable if you’re over 50 or nearsighted.
You may have moments when you notice your floaters more, but in general, your brain adapts and ignores the floaters, so you don’t even see them. They may not completely disappear, but they fade into the background or the periphery of your vision.
When floaters mean you should call the doctor
However, if you experience a sudden increase in the number of floaters you see, or if certain other symptoms accompany them, call our office to schedule a visit with Dr. Todd Leventhal or Dr. Albert Bargoud. These symptoms include:
- Sudden flashes of light
- A partial loss of vision, as if a shadow or curtain is blocking part of your sight
- A loss of peripheral vision
These symptoms could indicate a major problem, such as bleeding in the eye (which could be a result of high blood pressure, diabetes, or an injury) or a retinal tear, which could lead to a full retinal detachment and vision loss.
If you’re not sure what’s going on with your vision, it’s always better to get checked out — our team at Berkeley Heights Eye Group is here to help. To schedule an appointment, call our office or request one online today.
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