“Are eye floaters dangerous?”
I am a 48-year-old male who was diagnosed with having eye floaters. Are they dangerous?
10 Answers
Floaters and flashes can be signs of a serious condition like a detached retina. A complete ophthalmologic exam with a dilated fundus examination should be performed.
As the fluids in the back of the eye termed the vitreous change with age, sometimes suspended irregularities and membrane fragments can come into view. These are termed floaters. Floaters are usually benign but annoying. We generally do not worry if there are 1-4 floaters in one eye but you should seek immediate help if there are hundreds all at one. Work is being done currently to adapt lasers to treat annoying floaters although perfection is not here yet.
No. Floaters are the result of natural aging of the vitreous gel. If there’s associated flashing lights, see an eye MD. If not, just mention it at your next annual eye exam.
Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
There are many types of floaters and the most common ones are not dangerous. If you have long-standing floaters that come and go, that is normal. If you have a sudden onset of new floaters, floaters accompanied by flashes of light or pain, a section of your vision that goes missing or distorted, you need to see your eye doctor right away. When in doubt, get it checked out!
No. True floaters are not dangerous. However, some “floaters” represent early signs of retail detachment, hemorrhage or inflammation. Should have a dilated fungus exam.
Good morning,
If the floaters are new, that could be a retina problem. If this was something you were diagnosed with, then no, it is fine.
If the floaters are new, that could be a retina problem. If this was something you were diagnosed with, then no, it is fine.
Floaters are very common. However if you see a shower of floaters such as 100 to 1000. Like someone threw pepper in front of your eyes. This would be a sign of a possible retinal tear or detachment which will require an eye exam within a couple days.
Not usually. Most people develop floaters over time, however, if you notice any large, new floaters or flashes of light, see an ophthalmologist.
No.
Yes if there is a retinal tear.
