Floaters
Mouches volantes, also called floaters, are small floating spots or threads that you can perceive in your field of vision. They are often described as spider webs, wisps, clouds, or dots that move along with your eye movements. These phenomena usually arise from cloudiness in the vitreous humor of the eye.
How do floaters develop?
The main cause is the natural aging process of the eye. The vitreous humor – the gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye – is clear and homogeneous in structure at a young age. As you get older, this changes: the vitreous humor shrinks, becomes more watery, and contains thickenings or clumps. It's completely normal that you start seeing floaters at some point because of this.
When light falls on these clumps and they are in your field of vision, they cast shadows on the retina. Those shadows create the visual effects we recognize as floaters. Depending on the shape and position of the clumps, those shadows can look like sharp black dots, blurry spots, or streaks.
Are floaters harmless?
In most cases, floaters are harmless. Your brain learns to partially ignore them over time, and they can slowly sink out of your field of vision or fade away.
Watch out for sudden changes
Do you suddenly see many more floaters than normal? For example, after a hard blow to your eye. Then contact your doctor immediately. This could indicate a vitreous detachment. You may also see light flashes with this.
More floaters after a ReplaceLens treatment
Have you recently had a ReplaceLens treatment? Then it may seem like you suddenly see many more floaters than before. This is because the new, clear artificial lens lets light through unfiltered, making existing floaters more visible. Your brain needs some time to adjust to this.
Symptoms of mouches volantes
The experience of floaters is different for everyone, but common symptoms are:
- Small, dark spots in the field of vision
- Floating streaks or threads
- Spots that seem to move with your eye
- A gray haze or misty image
- Slight reduction in contrast
You see floaters most clearly against a light background, such as a blue sky or white wall. They are not painful and in virtually all cases pose no danger to your vision.
Request a preliminary examination
Your preliminary examination is always free and without obligation and includes eye tests and a consultation with the eye specialist.
- Personalized treatment advice tailored to you
- The ophthalmologist from the consultation is the treating ophthalmologist
- All-inclusive price