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Floaters
What are floaters?
Floaters are spots in your vision that look like specks, cobwebs, or strings that drift around when you move your eyes. They appear to move away if you try to look directly at the spots. Floaters often develop when the jellylike part of your eyes becomes more liquid because of age-related changes.
See Dr. Gadlin for an evaluation at the first sign of floaters because sometimes they’re a sign of a severe problem requiring prompt medical attention. Athens Eye Consultants offers emergency same-day appointments when necessary and evaluations by a board-certified ophthalmologist.
What are the symptoms of floaters?
The common symptoms of floaters include:
- Seeing dark specks
- Floating strings in your vision
- Spots that move when you move your eyes
- Seeing spots, lines, and webs when looking at a plain background
The spots you see because of floaters can eventually drift out of your line of vision, but they can return.
What are the risk factors for floaters?
The cause of floaters isn’t always clear, but they might develop because of the following risk factors:
- Being over 50
- Nearsightedness
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Bleeding in your eye
- Eye inflammation
- Some medications
- Torn retina
- Previous eye surgery
- Cataract surgery complications
- Eye trauma
Some causes of floaters, like retinal tears, are dangerous and can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. That’s why seeing Dr. Gadlin at the first sign of floaters is essential.
How does my doctor diagnose floaters and their cause?
To diagnose floaters and determine what’s causing them, Dr. Gadlin reviews your medical history, eye health history, symptoms, and lifestyle. He completes a thorough dilated eye exam to get an in-depth view of the back of your eyes. He also offers noninvasive wide field retinal imaging to diagnose your condition and develop an effective treatment.
How are floaters treated?
Your personalized treatment plan will depend on the cause of your floaters. Dr. Gadlin might suggest watchful waiting, minimally invasive eye surgery, or laser treatment to disrupt and break up bothersome floaters. He follows up with you to ensure that your treatment works effectively and changes your treatment if needed to offer exceptional results.
To find out what’s causing troublesome floaters and be treated for them, call the Athens Eye Consultants office or use the online booking tool today.
Floaters Q&A
What are floaters?
Floaters are spots in your vision that look like specks, cobwebs, or strings that drift around when you move your eyes. They appear to move away if you try to look directly at the spots. Floaters often develop when the jellylike part of your eyes becomes more liquid because of age-related changes.
See Dr. Gadlin for an evaluation at the first sign of floaters because sometimes they’re a sign of a severe problem requiring prompt medical attention. Athens Eye Consultants offers emergency same-day appointments when necessary and evaluations by a board-certified ophthalmologist.
What are the symptoms of floaters?
The common symptoms of floaters include:
- Seeing dark specks
- Floating strings in your vision
- Spots that move when you move your eyes
- Seeing spots, lines, and webs when looking at a plain background
The spots you see because of floaters can eventually drift out of your line of vision, but they can return.
What are the risk factors for floaters?
The cause of floaters isn’t always clear, but they might develop because of the following risk factors:
- Being over 50
- Nearsightedness
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Bleeding in your eye
- Eye inflammation
- Some medications
- Torn retina
- Previous eye surgery
- Cataract surgery complications
- Eye trauma
Some causes of floaters, like retinal tears, are dangerous and can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. That’s why seeing Dr. Gadlin at the first sign of floaters is essential.
How does my doctor diagnose floaters and their cause?
To diagnose floaters and determine what’s causing them, Dr. Gadlin reviews your medical history, eye health history, symptoms, and lifestyle. He completes a thorough dilated eye exam to get an in-depth view of the back of your eyes. He also offers noninvasive wide field retinal imaging to diagnose your condition and develop an effective treatment.
How are floaters treated?
Your personalized treatment plan will depend on the cause of your floaters. Dr. Gadlin might suggest watchful waiting, minimally invasive eye surgery, or laser treatment to disrupt and break up bothersome floaters. He follows up with you to ensure that your treatment works effectively and changes your treatment if needed to offer exceptional results.
To find out what’s causing troublesome floaters and be treated for them, call the Athens Eye Consultants office or use the online booking tool today.