Have you ever noticed something swimming in your field of vision? It looks like a worm or a drop of clear water, and when you try to look closer, it disappears, only to reappear when you shift your gaze.
Many of us experience a strange phenomenon in our eyes, characterized by the appearance of shadows, squiggly lines, or thin thread-like shapes that seem to float in our line of sight while our eyes remain still. This phenomenon is often referred to as “floaters.”
Image depicting shadows and squiggly lines moving in front of your eyes while you are looking steadily.
Studies have shown that up to 70% of people experience this condition. So, what exactly is the phenomenon of “floaters”?
“Floaters” are essentially deposits or clumps of gel-like substances in the vitreous humor of the eye. They can be pieces of tissue, red blood cells, or clusters of proteins floating within your eye, casting tiny shadows on the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of our eyes. These “floaters” can appear as dots, straight or curved lines, thread-like shapes, or loops resembling the letters O or C.
Some individuals may see a single floater, while others might notice dozens of floaters in their vision. These floaters can be present in one or both eyes.
When people experience this phenomenon, their initial reaction is often to focus intently on the floater to see it more clearly, but this can be challenging as the image moves when they shift their gaze.
Individuals with floaters see the small, cloudy spots more clearly against a bright blue sky.
People often notice these floaters more prominently when looking at a bright, clear sky or a white surface, such as a sheet of paper. Occasionally, these “floaters” seem to hide in a corner, eluding our sight.
Images capturing the small, cloudy spots of an individual experiencing the “floaters” phenomenon.
Experts explain that this phenomenon occurs due to aging and changes in the vitreous humor inside the eye. The eyeball is spherical, fronted by a clear layer known as the conjunctiva. The cornea bulges outward, transparent to reveal the interior of the eyeball, forming the pupil.
Structure of the eyeball.
Behind the cornea, in order from the front to the back, are the aqueous humor, vitreous body (also known as vitreous humor), and lens. Finally, the retina lines the inner wall of the eyeball, where light impacts numerous cone and rod-shaped nerve endings.
The vitreous humor is a thick, transparent gelatinous substance (similar to egg whites) located between the lens and the retina, accounting for about two-thirds of the eyeball’s volume.
The transparent vitreous humor occupies the majority of the eyeball’s volume.
The vitreous humor is a gel-like structure composed of many very fine fibers arranged in various directions but not interconnected. Over time, the vitreous humor gradually degenerates, becoming more liquid, and some tiny fibers may clump together, forming small cloudy spots within the vitreous humor.
These spots vary in size, shape, refractive index, and mobility.
The floaters that move continuously in the eye are due to the aforementioned spots casting shadows on the retina or the refraction of light as it passes through them. The degeneration of the vitreous humor is explained as a natural aging process.
However, there are cases where the vitreous humor can become inflamed, invaded by parasites, or the eye can experience retinal detachment. Therefore, if you notice the appearance of floaters, it is essential to visit an eye care center or hospital for a thorough examination.
Depending on the condition, doctors may perform procedures such as injecting saline solution to maintain intraocular pressure or addressing the floaters to minimize disturbances in daily life.
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The vitreous humor is a transparent gel-like structure that occupies approximately 80% of the eyeball’s volume, located behind the lens and in front of the retina. The vitreous humor contains up to 99% water, while the remainder consists of collagen, proteins, and hyaluronic acid. The vitreous humor plays a crucial role in maintaining the shape of the eyeball, facilitating light transmission to the retina, and providing nutrients to the internal structures of the eye. Additionally, the vitreous humor protects the internal eye components from injury and helps maintain stable intraocular pressure. As people age, the vitreous humor can change structure, gradually transitioning from a gel to a liquid form, leading to the phenomenon of vitreous opacities, where black specks or blurred spots appear in the vision. In more severe cases, the vitreous humor may detach from the retina or cause retinal detachment, threatening vision. |
