Floaters and Spots

Floaters and spots are common but can sometimes signal eye disease. Learn what causes them and when to see your optometrist.

What It Is 

Floaters, sometimes called floating spots, are small, semi-transparent shapes that drift across your field of vision. 
They often appear as: 

• Specks or dots 

• Cobwebs or threadlike strands 

• Small bugs or squiggles 

Floaters are tiny particles that move within the vitreous humour — the clear, gel-like substance filling the inside of your eye. They become visible when they cast shadows on your retina, especially when looking at bright, uniform backgrounds (like a blue sky or white wall). 

Floaters may also appear alongside flashes of light, which can indicate traction or pulling on the retina. 

Who It Affects / Causes 

Almost everyone experiences floaters at some point. They often become more noticeable with age as the vitreous gel naturally changes consistency. 

Common causes include: 

• Normal aging – the vitreous gel shrinks, liquifies and clumps together 

• Nearsightedness (myopia) – increases the risk of floaters 

• Eye injuries or surgery 

• Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) 

• Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) – separation of the vitreous from the retina 

• Retinal tears or detachment – a medical emergency 

Symptoms to Watch For 

Most floaters are harmless. However, certain changes can indicate a serious retinal problem. 

Seek immediate attention from your optometrist if you notice: 

• A sudden increase in the number or size of floaters 🔍 

• Flashes of light in your vision ⚡ 

• A dark shadow or curtain moving across your visual field 🚨 

• Blurred, distorted or missing vision 

These symptoms may signal a retinal tear or detachment, which requires urgent treatment to prevent vision loss. 

How It’s Diagnosed 

Your optometrist can identify the cause of floaters during a comprehensive eye exam that includes: 

• Dilated pupil examination – using eye drops to widen the pupils for a clearer view inside the eye 

• Slit lamp and binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO) examination – to assess the vitreous and retina in detail 

• Retinal imaging or OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – to check for retinal tears or detachment 

Even if floaters are benign, regular eye exams help track any changes over time and protect long-term eye health. 

Treatment & Management 

In most cases, floaters do not require treatment and become less noticeable over time as the brain learns to ignore them and/or they break into smaller pieces, so they become less noticeable. 

However, if floaters are caused by another condition, treatment may include: 

• Laser therapy or surgery (vitrectomy) for severe cases affecting vision 

• Treatment of underlying inflammation or infection 

• Urgent retinal repair for tears or detachment 

Your optometrist will determine whether your floaters are normal or need further investigation or referral to an ophthalmologist. 

Can Floaters Cause Blindness? 

While most floaters are harmless, they can occasionally be a warning sign of retinal damage. 
A sudden onset of new floaters — especially with flashes and/or vision loss — may mean a retinal tear or detachment, which can cause permanent blindness if untreated. 

Prompt examination is essential whenever floaters change suddenly. 

When to See Your Optometrist 

Book an eye exam if you: 

• Notice new or increased floaters 

• See flashes of light or a shadow in your vision 

• Experience blurriness or distortion 

• Haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam recently 

Optometrists can evaluate whether your floaters are normal or signs of a more serious eye condition. 

Related Topics 

• [Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)] 

• [Retinal Detachment] 

• [Anterior Uveitis] 

• [Diabetic Retinopathy] 

Resources & Programs 

• [OHIP Coverage for Eye Exams] 

• [Find an Eye Doctor Near You] 

💙 Book an Eye Exam — Most floaters are harmless, but sudden changes can signal a serious eye problem. Your optometrist can help protect your vision.