When Eye Floaters Can Be a Sign to Call the Eye Doctor for Help

They look like strings to some, cobwebs to others, and sometimes take on the appearance of bugs, specks, or spots. Their colors can range from white to black and every shade in between. Eye floaters are a detached matter from the intricate parts of the eye that cast a shadow on the retinal nerve. Here are a few situations when eye floaters may be something you need to talk to your eye doctor about.

The floater is so large that it disrupts your vision.

Floaters can look vastly different depending on what is causing them, but they can also range in size rather dramatically. If you have a tiny floater, there is a better chance that the visual disruption will subside within a few days. However, if you have a floater so large it is making it hard to see out of the affected eye, it is definitely a sign that you need to seek a professional’s advice. Eye floaters of this size rarely go away on their own; surgical intervention may be necessary.

The floater does not go away on its own within a few days.

Floaters do not necessarily “go away.” What normally occurs is your eyes grow accustomed to seeing in spite of the floater as if it is no longer there. This explains why an eye floater can seem relatively significant at first but as time goes on, you have to really concentrate to see it. Nevertheless, some floating matter in the field of vision may not subside or may not be something your eyes can adjust to. In these instances, it is best to have an eye doctor take a look.

The floater is accompanied by other symptoms of eye health risks.

Floaters are relatively common, and they are usually not anything to be severely concerned about. However, if these visual disturbances are accompanied by other symptoms of eye health risks, it is critical that you seek the advice of your eye doctor right away. A few additional symptoms that should spur you to call for an appointment include:

• You feel pain or pressure in the affected eye
• You experience drastic changes in your visual abilities
• Your vision seems cloudy or dark

Don’t Let Eye Floaters Scare You – Contact Your North Syracuse Eye Doctor

Something floating in your field of vision is never a welcome thing, and, yes, eye floaters can be rather alarming. If it has been a while since you’ve had your visual health assessed or you have floaters you are concerned about, reach out to us at McPherson Optometry in North Syracuse, NY for an appointment.