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Floaters services offered in Fairfax, VA
Floaters are a common type of visual abnormality that can cause you to worry about your eye health. At Fairfax Cataract and Retina in Fairfax, Virginia, board-certified ophthalmologist Mehrine Shaikh, MD, offers the experience, skill, and technology needed to treat floaters. Don’t let unusual changes in your vision cause undue stress when help is available. Call the office or request a visit online today.
What is it like to experience floaters?
Everyone has a distinct experience with vision, and it isn’t always easy to know when one's experience is outside the norm.
Floaters are a great example, as some people experience them routinely while others notice a sudden onset.
Some ways people describe floaters include visual abnormalities that take the appearance of:
- Black or gray dots
- Wavy or squiggly lines
- Cobweb-like shapes
- Rings
- Thread-like strands
- Tiny specks
Floaters get their name because they seem to move, or “float,” across your field of vision. They are most easily detected when you look at something without much detail, like a blank wall or a clear sky.
What causes floaters?
Floaters are caused by tiny pieces of a protein called collagen. Collagen is present in the vitreous — a gel-like material found in the back of the eye. Over time, your vitreous will begin to shrink or thicken.
Several things can cause you to develop floaters. Age is the most common cause, which many people begin to notice as they move into the later stages of middle age and beyond.
Additional causes of floaters might include:
- Eye injury
- Eye disease
- Tumors within the eye
- Torn retina
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Inflammation caused by an autoimmune condition
If you experience floaters or any other change in your vision, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Shaikh to determine the source.
How do I know if floaters are a sign of a serious eye health issue?
Sometimes, floaters are caused by a condition that can cause severe damage to your eye health. If you notice a sudden onset of floaters, you may have a condition called posterior vitreous detachment.
This condition usually leads to symptoms like dark shadows in your vision, flashes of light, pain, and blurred vision. Seek immediate attention if you notice these changes.
Occasional floaters are usually nothing to be concerned about, especially if they are linked to a clear cause, like a day spent in the bright sun or rubbing your eyes. However, if you’re concerned about symptoms, scheduling a full diagnostic evaluation is the right move.
Book your visit by calling Fairfax Cataract and Retina or requesting an appointment online today.