What causes eye floaters and how to treat them at home?

Eye floaters are common and usually harmless, but they can be annoying. Learn what causes them and discover simple, at-home ways to manage them safely.(Image: Pexels)

Eye floaters are small spots, specks or thread-like structures that can be seen floating in the field of vision. It happens when small clumps of gel or cells in the vitreous — a jellylike fluid in your eyes — cast shadows on the retina. Although commonly harmless, on rare occasions floaters may represent a more serious eye condition such as retinal detachment or inflammation.

A number of things can give rise to floaters, including aging, trauma to the eye, nearsightedness or problems following surgery or inflammation. They may become more visible due to lifestyle factors like screen time, dehydration and eye strain. Knowing why they happen can help you decide how to deal with or prevent them.

Dr Shagun Juneja, an Ophthalmologist at Drishti Eye Care Clinic in Mumbai, told Moneycontrol, “Most floaters are harmless and do not require treatment. But sudden upticks in floaters, flashes of light or loss of peripheral vision should provoke a quick check-up.” Weakening intensity of floaters is natural thanks to some simple changes in your lifestyle, diet and exercising eyes.

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The good news is, that with some care, most people are able to reduce the appearance of annoying floaters and keep their eyes healthy without resorting to medication or surgery.

Understanding the causes of floaters

Floaters are due to changes in the vitreous gel within the eye. As we get older, the gel may shrink and become clumped together, which causes it to cast shadows on the retina. Other causes can include eye injury, inflammation, nearsightedness or post-surgical complications.

When floaters are a warning sign

It starts suddenly and millions of floaters are noticed, flashing lights predominate, or there is an onset of vision loss out to the sides suggests retinal detachment or bleeding inside the eye. Medical assessment needs to be prompt in such situations.

Stay hydrated

Good hydration maintains the health of your vitreous fluid. Keeping it this way daily may slow its concentration and the formation of floaters.

Eye exercises

You may also try gently moving your eyes up and down or side to side, which can shift floaters out of your central field of vision. Regimental eye exercises also help in reducing the strain in eyes and enhance circulation of eyes.

Minimize digital time to avoid eye fatigue

Floaters can be made worse by prolonged screen exposure. Adhering to the 20-20-20 rule — that is, taking regular breaks to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes — relaxes eye muscles and may make floaters less noticeable.

Diet rich in eye-friendly nutrients

Antioxidants, namely vitamins A, C, E and omega-3 fatty acids help maintain your eye health and can even delay the deterioration of the vitreous humor. Eat leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds and omega-3 rich fatty fish in your meals.

Also read: 10 health benefits of drinking clove tea after meals

Adequate sleep

Getting enough rest lets the eyes heal themselves naturally and helps to alleviate eye strain that can cause floaters to be more obvious.

Avoid smoking and excess Alcohol

The toxins from smoking and too much alcohol might hurt your eyes, make you suffer from floaters as well as other eye problems.

Gentle eye massage

Some individuals also find relief by gently massaging the area around their eyes in order to temporarily shift floaters out of the line of sight, although this needs to be executed with caution so as not to apply pressure on the eyeball.

FAQs about eye floaters: 

1. What are eye floaters?

Eye floaters are small spots, specks, or thread-like structures that can be seen floating in your field of vision.

2. Are floaters harmful?

Most floaters are harmless and do not require treatment, but sudden increases in floaters, flashes of light, or loss of peripheral vision should prompt a quick check-up.

3. What causes floaters?

Floaters can be caused by aging, eye trauma, nearsightedness, or complications following surgery or inflammation.

4. How can I reduce the appearance of floaters?

You can reduce floaters by staying hydrated, performing eye exercises, minimizing digital time, eating a diet rich in eye-friendly nutrients, getting adequate sleep, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol, and gently massaging the area around your eyes.

5. When should I see a doctor about floaters?

If you suddenly notice millions of floaters, flashes of light predominate, or there is a loss of peripheral vision, it may indicate a serious eye condition, and prompt medical assessment is necessary.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.