Floaters

What is it and how to Recognise it

Floaters manifest themselves as darker areas that move when the eyes move. These could arise/occur at any age and accompany us throughout life.

The floaters occur later degenerating vitreous (the jelly-like substance inside the eye). The vitreous body is made from 99% water and the remaining 1% of collagen fibers, vitreous cells, hyaluronic acid, and proteins that constitute the scaffolding. Hyaluronic acid is the molecule more present and plays a vital role in supporting the collagen fibers and retain water molecules.

During the degeneration and aging phenomena, the production capacity of hyaluronic acid within the vitreous is reduced: the collagen fibers are not adequately supported and tend to collapse upon one another, creating accumulations. In this way, the vitreous body loses its transparency for a reduction of the aqueous component.

The Floaters could be caused by processes related to aging, also by myopia, injuries, bleeding and/or inflammatory processes (Uveitis, diabetes).

In severe cases, the floaters may occur due to a retinal detachment or following surgical procedures. In these cases, you can also see flashes of light (phosphenes) induced by stresses that the detached vitreous body exerts on the retina.

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