Eye Floater

Updated on August 25, 2011
T.K. asks from Grand Prairie, TX
12 answers

Have you ever had an eye floater? What did you do about it? Did it go away on it's own if you did nothing? I've had this black, whispy dot floating in my left eye. I've looked all over the internet and read what it says and asked the girls in the office. Internet says lasers and surgery. Coworkers say they come and go on thier own. Anybody else out there have any advice? Not a dot. It floats around, moves on it's own and tries to follow my gaze. "Eye floaters are little specks of debris floating through the vitreous fluid in the eyeball. Sometimes people may momentarily confuse them with dust or tiny insects floating across in front of the eye. However, they are within the eyeball and are not eliminated by rubbing the front of the eye. They follow the rapid movements of the eye while drifting slowly from one place to another. If floaters didn't move, they would be invisible due to a process called neural adaptation.

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J.B.

answers from Dayton on

Thanks for asking this question and the info! In the last two weeks I've been concerned because I periodically see a black squiggly line moving across my right eye...not painful but annoying. I've never really heard the term floater, even though I've worn glasses since I was 12 years old. I've just been hoping it would eventually go away...but after reading these posts it sounds like once you have the problem, it continues. Oh, the joys of getting old(er!)

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I would make an appt with an ophthamologist, not just a regular optometrist. That way you are sure to know if it is anything worth worrying about.
Mine come and go. I also have a partially detached retina so if mine are anything like fireworks I need to go in and be seen. The fireworks will look likewhat you are experiencing but bright flashes of light.
It probably is nothing, though.

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A.L.

answers from Dallas on

I actually had this kaleidoscope thing going on for years it would come and go. Finally figured out it is called an optical migraine. I would go to the opthamologist and see what they say. Better to be safe than sorry.

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R.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have been to the chiropractor for a series of visits a few years ago and at my first visit he asked about floaters. I told him I had them and he said adjustments would take them away. This is not the reason I went to a chiropractor but through out my series of adjustments the floaters were gone. Now a couple of years later they are back and I am just dealing with them.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

True floaters do come and go. If you have something that blocks your vision or seems more like a real tangible thing, then I would have it checked. I get these stupid floater things all the time and sometimes they drive me nuts. Lately they have increased but usually change shape or disappear for a couple of days--at least to a point I don't notice them. I think as we get older we notice them more.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Des Moines on

I actually have quite a few floaters! Gotta love em! I don't think it has anything to do with age, since I'm only 31. My eye doctor says there is only one thing to do to get rid of them and that it's much easier to just put up with them! I wouldn't want eye surgery! You get used to them...you won't even notice them in awhile!

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

if you have more than one dot - it could the onset of diabetes or Macular degeneration...

if it's only one - try getting an eye rinse kit and rinsing your eye out...if that doesn't work - make an appointment with an Opthamologist.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.D.

answers from Dallas on

I have a couple in each eye. I've had my eye doctor look at them...even dilating my pupils and checking my retina. He says they will adjust or go away on their own and even if they don't, they don't hurt you and they are not a sign of impending sight loss.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.R.

answers from Wausau on

I deal with them quit often they are very annoying. I don't just get one I have many. they are very common and come and go on their own. If you ever have MANY that come on sudden you should go in but like skin and hair shedding happens!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

I've had one floater for about 10 years, left eye, just north and to the left of center. My eye doctor said they just happen as you get older. I left mine alone and don't notice it anymore unless I'm looking for it. My mom had something like spider webs appear over her vision in one eye. That was more serious and needed treatment.

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D.P.

answers from Seattle on

I've had many - they come and go; one was shaped like a high-heeled shoe and I had it for at least a year, and then one day it wasn't there anymore. If you get more than one, or you suddenly have several or a "veil" that comes across your field of vision - get seen by an Opthamologist immediately (same day!) b/c it could indicate a retinal detachment. I've had detachments in both eyes (I know all too well the "white "fireworks" that Margie has seen!) and the fix is no fun.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

A little late here...but thought I would add my personal experience.

I have one major floater in my left eye that came on after a horrible hit and run bike accident I was in 5 years ago. It was big that I continually thought I saw a black bird flying across the sky.

I have adapted to it over the years. But I can honestly still see it, especially during bright days and when dehydrated.

I still recommend you see an opthalmologist (MD) and not just an optometrist to be certain your eyes are healthy.

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