Eye Floaters
Medical Author: Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What are eye floaters?
"Eye floaters" are deposits or condensation in the vitreous jelly of the eye.
People use the term eye floaters to describe seeing floating spots within their
vision when they look around. Eye floaters may be present in only one eye or both
eyes.
Why do people notice eye floaters?
The structures in the front of the eye (the cornea and lens) focus rays of
light onto the retina. Light focused onto the retina allows one to see. The
light going to the retina passes through the vitreous humor, which is a
jellylike material which occupies the back 2/3 of the eye. At birth and during
childhood years, the vitreous gel is totally clear. Later in life, sometimes
strands, deposits, or liquid pockets develop within the vitreous jelly. Each of
these strands casts a small shadow onto the surface of the retina, and these
shadows are perceived by the patient as eye floaters. As the eye moves from side to
side or up and down, these strands, deposits, or pockets also shift in position
within the eye, making the shadows also move and appear to float or undulate.
Next: What do eye floaters look like? »
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Last Editorial Review: 1/11/2008
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