The vitreous, which fills the inside of the eye, is a transparent, jelly-like tissue. Due to aging or various other factors, it undergoes vitreous liquefaction, turning into a more liquid state.
This process creates opacities and debris within the vitreous, causing spots that look like mosquitoes, flies, or threads drifting in front of the eyes.
This condition is called floaters (myodesopsia). Additionally, as the vitreous separates from and pulls on the retina, it can trigger photopsia, characterized by flickering or flashing lights.
Symptoms of Floaters
The primary symptoms of floaters include the appearance of drifting spots, lines, or net-like structures in one's field of vision.
They are described in various forms, such as dots, threads, lines, spiderwebs, flies, amoebas, clouds, or smoke. These objects move along with your gaze, yet they seem to drift away or 'dodge' your direct focus whenever you try to look straight at them.
In severe cases of floaters, vision may become blurred,
or the floaters may cause significant visual interference.
The spots move along as you move your eyes
and do not remain fixed in one position.
Causes of Floaters
Aging
As you age, the vitreous may shrink and separate into liquid and
solid components,
causing small particles to float within the eye.
Vitreous Detachment
This is a phenomenon that can occur during the process of the vitreous detaching from the retina.
Small tears or debris generated during this process can cause floaters.
High Myopia
The more severe the myopia, the longer the eye becomes,
and vitreous degeneration progresses earlier.
Floaters may appear even at a young age,
and the risk of retinal tears/detachment is also higher.
Inflammation in the eye
When inflammatory cells float in the vitreous due to conditions like uveitis or endophthalmitis, floaters appear.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause floaters to appear when blood vessels in the retina become damaged or bleed.
Other
Migraine aura, tumors in the eye, and medication side effects can rarely be causes.
Floaters Diagnosis/Examination
After dilating the pupils, examine the retina.
Observe the peripheral retina as floaters may be present due to
retinal tears and detachment.
Treatment for Floaters
Floaters caused by retinal tears are treated with laser therapy.
If retinal detachment is observed in patients with floaters, surgical treatment is indicated.
완전히 사라지지는 않는 경우가 많지만, 시간이 지나면 유리체 혼탁이 가라앉거나 시야 중심에서 벗어나고, 뇌가 적응하여 덜 인식하게 됩니다.
많은 분들이 수 주에서 수 개월 후 덜 신경 쓰이게 되었다고 합니다.
비문증 자체가 망막박리를 의미하지는 않습니다.
그러나 갑작스러운 비문증 증가, 광시증, 시야 가림이 동반되면 망막 열공이나 박리의 전조일 수 있어 반드시 검사가 필요합니다.
유리체 노화 자체를 막기는 어렵지만, 눈 외상 예방, 기저 질환 관리, 정기 검진으로 합병증을 조기에 발견하고 치료하는 것이 중요합니다.
자외선 차단, 금연, 균형 잡힌 식단 등 전반적인 눈 건강 관리도 권장됩니다.
In most cases, treatment is not necessary. However, treatment may be required if floaters severely interfere with vision or if other eye conditions are suspected.
Check out the blog below for more information on eye health.
