Healthline Wellness Wire

In a Nutshell

Have you ever noticed those tiny specks, squiggles, or cobweb-like shapes dancing across your field of vision? If so, you’re not alone. They’re called eye floaters, and they're actually more common than you might think.

I seem to be hosting a few more floaters lately — a couple of extras to go alongside the big one shaped like Japan and the others that resemble pocket lint — so I decided to look into what they are and how worried I should be. I share my findings below.

But, before our gaze settles on floaters, here are some more eye-focused headlines:

•	Here’s what you see with macular degeneration in your eyes

•	What is cell phone blindness, and how bad is it?

•	7 ways to find relief for allergy-related eye discomfort

Shall we continue? Blink once for yes.
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Tim Snaith
March 30, 2025 • 4 min read

what’s got us buzzing

Floaters: What are they, and should you worry about them?

Eye floaters are typically small clumps of protein or other material that drift around in the clear, jelly-like substance (called the vitreous) that fills the inside of your eye. When these clumps cast shadows on your retina, you see them as floaters in your vision. I mostly see them when lying on my back reading a book or staring at the clouds when I can think of nothing better to do.️

For most people, floaters are just a natural part of the aging process (though I cannot recall a time when I had none). As we get older, the vitreous becomes more liquid and less jelly-like, causing it to pull away from the back of the eye. This can lead to the formation of those bothersome clumps.️️

While a little annoying, eye floaters are usually harmless and don’t require any treatment. They may even come and go or settle out of your field of vision over time. However, in some cases, floaters can be a sign of a more serious eye condition, such as: ️

an eye infection or inflammation
bleeding in the eye due to injury or diabetes
a symptom following eye surgery (such as for cataracts)
a torn or detached retina (a medical emergency!)

So, when should you be concerned about your eye floaters? If you suddenly notice a large number of new floaters, or if they’re accompanied by flashes of light or vision loss, it’s time to call your eye doctor, right away. These could be signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.

In rare cases, eye floaters can get so numerous and dense that they get in the way of seeing things properly. If this happens, your eye doctor may recommend a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy to remove the vitreous and the floaters in it. However, this is usually a last resort and is only considered when floaters are severely impacting your quality of life. ️

For most of us, though, eye floaters are just a minor annoyance that we learn to live with. Mine mostly disappear when I sit up to read, so it’s not a major problem in my case. The next time you spot those little guys drifting across your vision, just remember: they're usually nothing to worry about, but it never hurts to keep an eye on them (pun fully intended)! ️

Are floaters a sign of macular degeneration?

🎤 Over to you: Have you ever experienced eye floaters? How do you cope with them? Share your story with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com, and you might see your experience featured in an upcoming edition!

Great finds

Block the blues

Felix Gray Blue Blocking Glasses

While eye floaters are usually a natural part of aging, did you know that the blue light emitted from your digital devices can also contribute to eyestrain and fatigue? That's where blue light-blocking glasses come in.

These stylish glasses feature a proprietary filter infused directly into the lens that blocks 15 times more of the most harmful blue light compared to other products on the market. Not only can these glasses help reduce the discomfort associated with long hours of screen time, but they may also help protect your eyes from potential long-term damage.

So, if you're looking for a way to protect your eyes in our increasingly digital world, consider giving these specs a try. Your eyes will thank you!

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Thanks for reading! Morgan takes the reins on Monday, and bloat (and how to beat it) is on the agenda.

Until next time,

Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon!

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