Ask a Health Professiona Each week health professionals give their educated opinions on relat- able health questions. We believe that knowledge is power! Andrew Congdon O.D Doctor of Optometry o:D INSIGHT VISION CENTER (715) 732-2101 3003 Cleveland Avenue Marinette, WI Question: What is a floater? piece from the back of the eye with it. visual complaint. You may This condition is called a Posterior Vitreal notice a little squiggle in your Detachment (PVD), and it affects about 1/3 to vision, that seems to float, /2 of people over 60. Many people develop a around. If you try to look at PVD, but not everyone will have the floater the spot, it will move in the same direction that comes with it. Many times a PVD will making it very difficult to look at it right on. be accompanied with flashes of light that So what are these little specks or strings? Well, ces from inside the eye. If you ever notice there are many different kinds of floaters from flashes of light along with floaters, it may also diffcrent origins, the following are a few of the be signs of a retinal detachment, and nceds to be checked right away. There is no pain Floaters are a very common small Natural floaters occur in about one third of with this condition, only visual changes. Laser VD floaters, hut people, and they don't follow any age, sex, or race. You can be at a higher risk with higher myopic, or near sighted, prescriptions, Your eye m treatments exist to eliminate P they don't work well, and usually only creates many smaller floaters out of the large floater. is hollow and filled with fluid called Vitreous If you ever notice a sudden onset of many Humor. Floaters can build up in the vitreous floaters, any flashes, or a large floater that and actually are suspended in this fluid. When ss to block vision, then you need to make light comes into the eye it has to paess through an appointment immediately with your eye care the vitreous and these floaters, so a shadow is provider. These symptoms can indicate that an created onto the hack of the eye. This shadow ongoing, retinal detachment is occurring. The is actually what you are seeing, not the floater retina is a thin layer of cells on the back inside itself. As we get older, the vitreous becomes of the cye, and it is the most important part more fluid and there is a greater chance for vision. There is a risk that it can detach for these fibers to accumulate. There are no from the back of the eye, and damage vision. treatments for these floaters, but you can wear Retinal detachments are medical emergencies, sunglasses on sunny days to make them less and need to be repaired immediately Most flosters are benign and will never affect As we get older, the vitreous develops wrinkles, your vision. If you are ever worried about your accunulates water, and may collapse on itself. floaters, then make an appointment with your When the vitreous collapses, it can pull a eye care provider.