Can Floaters Go Away On Their Own?

Have you begun to notice black or gray specks, strings, or cobweb shapes in your usually clear vision? If so, you are likely experiencing the visual effects of eye floaters, or “floaters.”

Floaters are a common eye condition, but they can be irritating when they affect your vision. Keep reading to learn more about floaters, including whether they can go away on their own.

What Are Eye Floaters?

Floaters are small clumps of eye tissue debris that cast shadows on the retina as they float in the vitreous, the jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye. In addition to the shapes listed above, they can also appear as circles, squiggly lines, thread-like strands, and rings.

They often happen when the vitreous liquifies and contracts, causing the formation of clumps of collagen fibers. They are often age-related and are usually caused by a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment.

Floaters are often most noticeable in bright light conditions or when looking at a white background. They may seem to drift about when you move your eye, or dart away when you look at them directly.

Many people incorrectly assume floaters are objects on the surface of the eye, but as they are inside the eye, it’s not possible to blink them away as you would a stray eyelash or bit of debris. It also means that floaters remain visible even after rubbing the eyes or using lubricating drops.

In most cases, floaters are a harmless sign of aging, but if you experience a sudden onset of many floaters at one time, it could be a sign of a more serious eye condition, such as a retinal tear or detachment.

Why Do Floaters Become More Common With Age?

Floaters typically develop as you age as the vitreous slowly shrinks and separates from the retina, a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). PVD is most often seen in adults over the age of 65, though it can develop in younger adults as well.

In most cases, PVD does not require treatment and does not lead to lasting vision impairment. Often, the brain adjusts to the presence of floaters, and they become less noticeable over time.

Individuals who are myopic (nearsighted) are at a higher risk of developing floaters at a younger age. Nearsighted eyes are longer than average, which stretches the vitreous, making it more prone to shrinkage and causing collagen fibers to clump.

Past eye injuries and chronic ocular inflammation can also increase the likelihood of developing floaters as you age. When the eye undergoes stress, even temporarily, the vitreous may change enough to create floaters.

Warning Signs: When Floaters Require Immediate Medical Attention

Most of the time, the appearance of floaters is not a cause for concern. However, a sudden onset of many floaters, floaters that appear red, or floaters accompanied by other symptoms can be warning signs of eye conditions that require immediate medical attention.

Sudden Onset of Many Floaters

Many floaters appearing at once can be an indication of retinal detachment. If the retina becomes detached, it is separated from supportive blood vessels, potentially leading to scar tissue, macular damage, and vision loss. 

Over time, PVD can eventually cause retinal detachment. Individuals with a PVD diagnosis should have their eyes examined annually to check the health of their retinas.

Retinal detachment can also be caused by diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and eye tumors. These conditions can increase intraocular pressure and raise the risk of detachment.

Floaters That Appear Red

If you start to notice floaters that appear red, it could be a sign that you are experiencing intraocular bleeding. This type of floater is usually denser and requires immediate medical treatment.

Common causes of bleeding inside the eye include retinal tears, complications caused by diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure, and eye trauma. They can also be symptoms of ocular inflammation, viral infections, and rare ocular cancers.

Floaters Accompanied by Other Symptoms

Any floater accompanied by other symptoms, such as blurred vision, decreased peripheral vision, flashes of light, or eye pain, warrants immediate medical attention. Addressing symptoms as soon as possible helps eye care providers to diagnose problems early and prevent potential vision loss.

When Floaters Disappear vs. When Your Brain Adapts

Unfortunately, floaters do not disappear from your eyes, but most people find they do become less noticeable over time. There are three main reasons why floaters may seem to go away: they settle out of your central vision, they shrink or become less dense, and your brain learns to ignore them.

Some floaters will drift down to the bottom of your eye, out of your direct line of sight. They are pulled by gravity into the vitreous cavity and away from the retina.

Other floaters become less noticeable when they shrink and lose density. This happens when the clumped collagen strands start to break down further and disperse into the vitreous.

More commonly, your brain adapts to their presence and learns to filter them out, a process called neuroadaptation. During the process, which can take from several weeks to several months, your brain starts to treat floaters as “background noise” rather than essential information.

Treatment Options for Severe or Persistent Floaters

In most cases, floaters do not require treatment if they are not symptomatic of a more severe issue. If you are experiencing severe or persistent floaters, there are treatment options that can help restore clear vision. The most effective treatments are surgical vitrectomy and laser vitreolysis.

Vitrectomy

The most common treatment for floaters that cause vision impairment is a procedure called vitrectomy. During this procedure, some or all of the vitreous is removed and replaced with saline solution, or a bubble of gas or oil.

Vitrectomy is highly effective, but carries a high risk of post-surgery complications. Because of these risks, ophthalmologists may recommend the procedure only to individuals with the most severe floaters.

Vitreolysis

Another option is laser vitreolysis, a procedure that uses a specialized laser to break up floaters into smaller, less noticeable fragments. The ideal candidates for this procedure have floaters in the central field of vision that are not too close to the retina.

Vitreolysis is less invasive than vitrectomy and can significantly improve vision after 1-2 treatments. Recovery from vitreolysis is generally quick, and most patients can return to their normal activities within a day of treatment.

While floaters are common and typically harmless, especially in older adults, they can affect the quality and clarity of your vision. They won’t go away on their own, but for most people, they become less noticeable as the brain adapts to their presence.

Are you experiencing new or persistent floaters? Schedule an appointment at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, ID, today!