At Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, we’ve more than 85 years of experience. We’re here to talk you through them.
That said, a sudden change in your floaters, or new symptoms appearing alongside them, can sometimes be a sign of something that needs urgent attention. If floaters are new, appear suddenly or change, call your local Scrivens branch ask for an urgent appointment with an optometrist. For routine eye health checks, book an eye test with your local Scrivens branch.
Eye floaters are small shapes such as dots, threads, or cobweb-like strands that appear to drift across your field of vision. They’re caused by tiny changes in the vitreous, the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eye. As the vitreous shifts or becomes less firm over time, small clumps can form within it. These cast tiny shadows on the retina, which is what you’re actually seeing when you notice a floater.
Floaters can appear in a few different forms, including:
They’re usually most obvious when you’re looking at something plain and bright, such as a clear sky or a white wall. Because they move as your eyes move, they can seem to dart away just as you try to focus on them.
Floaters are most often linked to:
In most cases, longstanding, stable floaters are nothing to worry about. But because some causes are linked to changes in the retina, new or sudden floaters need urgent assessment with an optometrist.
For many people, floaters become less noticeable over time. This isn’t because they disappear completely, but because the brain gradually learns to filter them out, so you stop consciously registering them. Some floaters may remain permanently, while others fade from view. It’s a gradual process, and there’s rarely any need to intervene unless the floaters are significantly affecting your vision or day-to-day life.
While longstanding, unchanged floaters are usually harmless, certain symptoms should prompt you to seek an urgent appointment with an optometrist. These include:
These symptoms can be signs of a retinal tear or retinal detachment – conditions that need urgent assessment to protect your eyesight. If you experience any of the above, don’t wait for your next routine appointment; call your local Scrivens branch and ask for an urgent appointment with an optometrist.
For most people, eye floaters treatment simply means monitoring. If floaters are mild and stable, no action is usually needed beyond keeping an eye on any changes and attending your regular eye tests. Over time, most people adapt and become less aware of them.
In rare, more severe cases where floaters significantly interfere with vision, your optometrist[PT1] or ophthalmologist may discuss medical procedures. These are only considered when floaters are having a serious impact, as they carry their own risks.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of eye floaters, the honest answer is that removal isn’t usually necessary or recommended. Procedures to treat floaters do exist, but because of the risks involved, they’re generally reserved for significant, vision-affecting cases rather than everyday floaters. For the vast majority of people, floaters are best left monitored rather than treated.
A comprehensive eye test allows our optometrists to examine the retina and the overall health of your eye, ruling out anything more serious and giving you reassurance about what you’re experiencing. It also means any changes can be tracked over time, so if something does need attention, it’s picked up early.
For routine eye health checks and ongoing monitoring, book an eye test with your local Scrivens today. Our team is here to check your eye health and answer any questions you might have. If floaters are new or sudden, or you have any of the warning signs above, seek urgent help instead of waiting for a routine appointment. Want to know more about other symptoms worth watching out for? Take a look at our guide to common vision problems and how to spot them.
