What Causes Eye Floaters? A Complete Guide to Triggers & Risk Factors

Have you ever noticed tiny dots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes floating in your vision? These are called eye floaters. If you’re wondering why they appear in your eyes, you’re going to find the answer here.

In this guide, you will read the common and rare causes of eye floaters. Find out, explanation of who is most at risk. You’ll also understand when those little spots might be a sign of something more serious.

Here you’ll find answers to:

• What are eye floaters?
• Causes of eye floaters and flashes
• Risk factors: Who gets eye floaters and why
• When floaters may signal a medical emergency
• How to reduce floaters in eyes naturally
• What is the new treatment for eye floaters?
• Answers to myths

Let’s clear up the confusion.

What Are Eye Floaters? What Does An Eye Floater Look Like?

Eye floaters are tiny dark shapes that appear in your field of vision. Floaters are most noticeable when you look at a bright, plain background—such as a clear blue sky or a white wall.

They can be painless and may not interfere with your ability to see around them.

Key Features of Eye Floaters:

• Movement: They seem to move as your eye moves, and dart away when you try to look at them directly.
• Appearance: Can be clear, gray, or shadowy
• Persistence: Usually remain in the same general location, but can drift over time

According to the Mayo Clinic, floaters appear due to age-related changes in the vitreous—the jelly-like substance filling your eye—but a wide range of causes exist.

Eye Floaters Causes

1- The Main Cause is Aging

Getting older is the main reason people develop eye floaters. Inside your eye is a clear, jelly-like substance called the vitreous humour.

When you’re young, this jelly is firm and clear. But as you age, it begins to change. It becomes more watery.  The tiny strands of protein within clump together and begin to cast shadows on your retina (the back of your eye). The same clumps or clots like bodies appear as floating shadows or dots.

This process is called vitreous syneresis.

A rare case is a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). This is when the shrinking vitreous jelly pulls away from the retina. It may cause a retinal tear or detachment—a serious eye emergency. You can see a sudden appearance of new floaters, like a large ring or circle.

Warning: A sudden shower of new floaters, especially with flashes of light, means you need to see an eye doctor immediately.

2- Eye Injuries and Trauma

A direct hit to the eye or head can stir up the vitreous or cause bleeding, creating floaters. Traumatic events might cause:

• Release of blood cells into the vitreous (vitreous hemorrhage)
• Accelerated PVD
• Inflammatory debris from the layer of tissue damage

For example, floaters caused by injury can appear suddenly and in large numbers.

3- Eye Diseases and Inflammatory Conditions

a. Uveitis (Inflammation of Eye Structures)

• Uveitis, especially in the back or middle eye, causes inflammatory cells to enter the vitreous.
• These cells create, or add to, the disturbance seen as floaters.

b. Symptoms of Eye Inflammation:

• Redness, pain, light sensitivity
• Blurred vision alongside floaters

4- Diabetes

Can diabetes cause eye floaters? The answer is yes! Poorly managed diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, where blood vessels in the eye can leak. This blood can enter the vitreous and appear as a sudden shower of dark floaters. People with uncontrolled diabetes may develop:

• Leaking blood vessels in the retina
• Blood entering the vitreous (vitreous hemorrhage)
• Sudden appearance of numerous new floaters

NOTE: If you have diabetes and notice new floaters, see an eye doctor immediately.

5- Retinal Tears and Detachments

When the retina tears or detaches, it can release pigment cells and blood into the vitreous, appearing as a shower of floaters, sometimes accompanied by flashing lights or loss of peripheral vision. This is an ophthalmic emergency.

6- Eye Surgeries and Laser Treatments

Procedures like cataract surgery, YAG laser capsulotomy, and Retinal laser treatments can sometimes accelerate changes in the vitreous structure or release of debris. It will lead to new or more noticeable floaters.

Less Common Causes

Sometimes, eye floaters are a symptom of another underlying issue. While eye floaters are most common after age 50, young adults can get them too.

• Nearsightedness (Myopia): The main cause in younger people is usually nearsightedness (myopia), which changes the eye’s shape and can cause the vitreous to break down earlier.
• Eye Trauma: Any blunt force or penetrating injury can disrupt the vitreous or cause bleeding inside the eye.
• Uveitis: This is inflammation inside the eye. It can release inflammatory cells into the vitreous, which are seen as floaters.
• Certain Medications: Although rare, some medications have been anecdotally linked to floaters. Always discuss side effects with your doctor.
• Eye Allergies and Minor Inflammation: Even mild allergic or non-infectious inflammatory reactions can cause a moderate increase in floaters. But this is rare.

Answers to Some Common Questions

1- Can dehydration or phone screens cause eye floaters?

You might wonder if not drinking enough water or staring at screens all day is to blame.

• Dehydration: The vitreous is 98% water. Although severe, long-term dehydration might make existing floaters more noticeable. It is not a direct cause of new floaters. However, staying hydrated is always good for your overall eye health.
• Screen Time: Staring at digital devices doesn’t create floaters. However, it can cause eye strain and will make you more aware of the floaters you already have.

2- What disease is associated with eye floaters?

Several diseases are associated with floaters. Diabetes is a major one. It can cause diabetic retinopathy, where bleeding into the vitreous creates many dark floaters. Other diseases include uveitis (eye inflammation) and, in serious cases, a retinal tear or detachment. These indicate an emergency.

3- Which deficiency causes eye floaters?

Think of floaters like a wrinkle in a clear plastic bag. No amount of vitamins can smooth out that wrinkle because it’s a physical change. Similarly, floaters are physical clumps inside your eye, so they aren’t caused by or cured with vitamins.

4- Are eye floaters related to high blood pressure?

Not directly. High blood pressure itself doesn’t cause floaters. However, severely high blood pressure (a hypertensive crisis) can lead to other problems. For example, swelling in the eye or a blocked blood vessel, which might then result in floaters. It’s an indirect link.

When to Worry: Dangerous Causes of Floaters (Retinal Tears)

Most of the time, eye floaters are harmless. But sometimes, they are a warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment. This is a medical emergency.

A sudden, dramatic change in your vision is the biggest red flag. You must seek immediate care from a retinal specialist if you experience:

• A sudden shower of dozens of new floaters.
• Flashes of light in your side vision, like seeing stars.
• Sudden loss of peripheral (side) vision
• Onset after trauma or eye surgery
• A dark shadow or curtain spreads across your field of vision.

For a helpful explainer, watch this educational video:

Pregnancy and Eye Floaters: Is There a Link?

Many pregnant women notice visual changes, including increased floaters. Most of the time, this is due to normal body changes and isn’t dangerous. However, sudden floaters with flashes or vision loss could signal:

• Retinal problems(especially in women at risk for preeclampsia/eclampsia)
• Migraine aura(not directly a floater, but may mimic the appearance)

Always discuss vision changes with your OB/GYN and eye doctor.

How Are Eye Floaters Diagnosed? The Doctor’s Perspective

A complete eye check-up is essential if you experience floaters, especially with concerning symptoms.

What to Expect During the Exam

• Dilated Eye Exam: The Doctor uses special eye drops to widen pupils for a clear look at the retina and vitreous.
• Slit Lamp Examination: A microscope shines a narrow beam on your eye to inspect internal structures.
• Retinal Imaging or Ultrasound: Used in cases of bleeding, trauma, or unclear diagnosis.

Key: Early examination can distinguish benign floaters from dangerous causes.

How Do You Get Rid of Eye Floaters?

Sometimes, it’s better to simply wait. Many floaters become less noticeable over time as your brain gets used to them. If floaters are caused by another health issue, like inflammation or diabetes, treating that problem can help.

For floaters that make daily life difficult, there are two main procedures:

1. Laser Treatment (Vitreolysis)

The most exciting new treatment for eye floaters that is gaining widespread acceptance is Laser Vitreolysis.

• A doctor uses a special laser to break up large floaters.
• It’s a quick, 15-30 minute procedure done right in the doctor’s office.
• It doesn’t work for all types of floaters.

Your doctor numbs your eye with drops, so it doesn’t hurt. There’s no cutting, no surgery, and you can go home right after.

Who it’s for: It works best on larger, well-defined floaters (like a big ring or clump) that are safely floating in the middle of the eye, away from the retina and lens.

The benefits: The recovery time of this new treatment for eye floaters is fast, and the risk of complications is very low when performed by an experienced doctor.

2. Surgery (Vitrectomy)

• A surgeon removes the gel inside your eye that contains the floaters.
• This is very effective but is only used for severe cases because it has more risks.
• Most eye doctors will recommend treatment only if your floaters are seriously affecting your vision.

For more on treatments, see the Mayo Clinic’s eye floaters page.

Common Tips for Managing Eye Floaters

Living with floaters can be annoying, but a few simple habits can make them less bothersome and keep your eyes feeling their best.

 

• Stay Hydrated – Did you know the inside of your eye is mostly water? Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water helps keep your eyes healthy and might make those floaters a little less noticeable.
• Protect Your Eyes – A good pair of wear sunglasses does more than make you look cool! They cut down on glare from the sun, which is when floaters love to show off the most. Think of them as your secret weapon for clearer, more comfortable vision outdoors.
• Avoid Staring at Blank Backgrounds – Floaters are easiest to see against plain, bright backgrounds like a white wall or a blue sky. If they pop up, try looking away at something busier or just blink a few times to help reset your focus.
• Follow a Healthy Diet – Eating a balanced diet is great for your whole body, including your eyes. Foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, and fish help support the parts of your eye you can’t see, keeping everything healthy.
• Practice Eye Rest – If you spend a lot of time on screens, remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. It’s a simple trick to ease strain and relax your vision.
• Don’t Skip Your Check-Up: Even if your floaters seem harmless, getting a yearly eye exam is the best way to get peace of mind. Your eye doctor can make sure everything is healthy and catch any potential issues early.

Remember, you’re not just managing floaters—you’re taking great care of your eyes!

Prepare a Checklist Before Visiting Your Doctor

Going to the doctor for floaters can feel overwhelming. So, don’t rely on your memory. Just make this simple checklist to ensure you don’t forget the important details.

a- Right Before You Go:

• Think about your symptoms: When did they start? A few? Or a sudden bunch? Do you see flashes of light?

• When they’re most noticeable: (e.g., looking at a bright screen, the sky, a white wall).

• Prepare your overall medical history: If you have nearsightedness, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Make a list of your medications, vitamins, and supplements you take.

• Write down other eye conditions: Ex: Eye pain, redness, or discomfort, changes in your central vision, etc

• Bring sunglasses: Your eyes will be dilated and will be sensitive to light after the appointment.

• Arrange a ride: You won’t be able to drive safely after your pupils are dilated. So, please bring a family member or friend, or book a ride.

b- Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor:

• “What is causing MY floaters?” (Is it just aging, or something else?)
• “Is my retina okay?” (This is the most important question to rule out an emergency.)
• “What are my options?” (Should I wait, or am I a candidate for laser or other treatment?)

That’s it! You don’t need a long list. Just focus on these key points to have a productive conversation and get the answers you need about your eye health.

Eye Floaters: Myths vs. Facts

Myth 1: There’s nothing you can do about floaters

• Fact: Many floaters go away or become less noticeable. Severe symptoms can be treated.

Myth 2: Eye vitamins prevent floaters

• Fact: No clinical evidence supports this claim, though a diet rich in antioxidants is good for overall eye health.

Myth 3: Rubbing the eyes helps floaters move

• Fact: Rubbing doesn’t remove floaters and can actually cause more eye damage.

Myth 4: Floaters are caused by looking at your phone too much.

• Fact: Screen time can strain your eyes and make you notice floaters more, but it doesn’t create them.

Myth 5: Eating certain foods can make floaters go away.

• Fact: While a healthy diet supports eye health, it cannot dissolve existing floaters caused by physical changes in the vitreous.

Myth 6: All floaters are a sign of a serious problem.

• Fact: The vast majority of floaters are a benign and normal part of aging.

Do Floaters Ever Go Away?

For many people, floaters become less bothersome over time. Your brain learns to adapt and ignore them—a process called neuroadaptation. They might also sink out of your direct line of sight.

However, the physical clumps themselves rarely disappear completely. If they remain disruptive and affect your quality of life, effective treatment options are available, from laser therapy to surgery.

To learn more about these procedures, read our guide on eye floaters treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Floaters Causes

1. What is the most common cause of eye floaters?

The most common cause is natural aging changes in the vitreous gel (posterior vitreous detachment) leading to the formation of clumps or strands that cast shadows on the retina.

2. Can stress or fatigue cause eye floaters?

No, stress or fatigue does not directly cause eye floaters. Floaters are due to physical changes or debris within the vitreous body.

3. Are eye floaters a sign of a serious eye disease?

Most floaters are harmless and due to aging, but a sudden shower of floaters, with light flashes or vision loss, could signal retinal tear or detachment—an eye emergency.

4. When should I see a doctor about eye floaters?

See a doctor urgently if you experience any sudden increase in floaters, flashing lights, loss of vision, or if floaters appear after trauma or eye surgery.

References

• Mayo Clinic – Eye Floaters
• National Eye Institute – Floaters
• American Academy of Ophthalmology. Posterior Vitreous Detachment.
• American Optometric Association. Floaters & Spots.
• Healthline. Eye Floaters: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.