Floaters

Everyone experiences floaters in their vision occasionally, but a sudden increase may point to an underlying issue. At Fremont Eye Center, board-certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Ho Sun Choi, MD, specializes in treating floaters. After an exam, he can identify the cause and make treatment recommendations. To learn what’s causing your floaters, make an appointment by calling the Fremont, California, office today or by clicking the online booking feature.

What are floaters?

Eye floaters are black spots or lines that appear in your field of vision. They vary in size and shape and typically change position when you look directly at them. 

Most eye floaters are nothing to worry about. In fact, almost everyone sees floaters from time to time. However, if they appear suddenly or in greater numbers than usual, it’s important to find out what’s going on.  

What are the symptoms of eye floaters?

Symptoms of eye floaters include:

• Strings or shapes in your vision that look like cob webs or specks of dust
• Spots that move when you move your eyes
• Spots or shapes that are more noticeable when you look at a bright background, such as the sky or a wall of clouds
• Small shapes or strings that settle at the bottom of your vision

If you experience a sudden increase in floaters or notice a dark curtain, shadow, or blurry area in your field of vision, don’t wait to seek treatment. These signs may indicate a more serious condition, such as retinal detachment.

How are floaters diagnosed?

Dr. Choi reviews your health history and asks about your floaters, including when you first noticed them, if they’ve worsened over time, and whether they’re more noticeable at certain times.

Next, he completes a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, Dr. Choi may dilate (widen) your pupils with special eye drops so he can see the structures at the back of your eyes and the gel inside them (vitreous). 

How are floaters treated?

In many cases, floaters don’t require treatment. Even though they can be annoying to look at, floaters often become less noticeable over time and don’t interfere with quality of life. 

However, if Dr. Choi determines your floaters are caused by an underlying eye condition, such as inflammation or bleeding from diabetes, he makes personalized treatment recommendations. The two most common treatments are:

Surgery to remove the vitreous

If vitreous issues cause your floaters, Dr. Choi may recommend a vitrectomy. This procedure doesn’t always clear floaters completely, but it can reduce their overall impact on your vision.

Laser treatment to disrupt the floaters

This procedure, known as vitreolysis, uses a laser to disrupt or vaporize floaters so they’re less noticeable. Some people experience significant improvements, while others don’t, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before treatment. 

If floaters are interfering with your vision, make an appointment at Fremont Eye Center today by calling the office or by clicking the online booking tool.