Understanding Floaters and Vitreous Gel:
Our eye contains a colourless, transparent, jelly-like substance called vitreous gel. It fills the large space between the eye's lens and retina and occupies roughly 80% of the eye's volume. It maintains the eyeball's shape and provides a clear path for the light travelling to the retina.
The vitreous gel consists of over 98% water, with the remainder a meshwork of collagen fibers and hyaluronic acid that helps maintain its structure.
The vitreous gel in our eyes changes as we age.
At birth, the Gel is firm and intact. It slowly becomes a thin liquid as you grow older. Especially after age 60, the gel breaks down, forming tiny clumps that cast shadows on your retina. You begin to visualise floating objects as you move your eyelids.
Diagnosis of Symptom
They confirmed that the "flea-like" object moving with my eyes is a benign eye floater. It is a shadow cast by tiny protein clumps inside the gel of your eye.
Additionally, I have cataracts in both eyes. Though they are not of any significance, I have been advised to plan for cataract surgery as soon as I am ready.
Floaters vs. Cataracts
- Floaters are moving specks or "flies" in the eye's fluid (moving spots/stains in the vitreous gel). They are the result of ageing. The broken clumps of the vitreous gel, which are casting shadows, seem to be floating in the air as and when I move my eyes.
- Cataracts are a stationary clouding of the eye’s lens that causes constant blurry or hazy vision.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care:
This is what I was informed.
Contact an eye specialist immediately if you experience:
- A sudden shower of many new floaters at once.
- New flashes of light (like lightning streaks).
- A dark shadow or curtain covering part of your vision.
- A sudden, significant blurring of vision.
- An injury to the eye with pain and/or bleeding.
