As you age, your eyesight and eye health changes. You’ve probably heard this mantra repeatedly, but it is true. One example of this change comes in the form of floaters. When tiny spots, flecks or specks drift around in your field of vision, it is called a floater. Should these floaters send you running to your eye doctor in Wildwood, FL, in a panic?
Harmless
To help you understand if you should worry, you have to know what causes this phenomenon. When you’re young, the vitreous, which is a gel-like substance behind your retina, is very gel-like. As you get older, it becomes watery in the center. This change can lead to undissolved gel particles floating around in the middle of the vitreous. In other words, it can lead to harmless, albeit annoying floaters.
Emergency
Seeing an occasional floater is nothing to get concerned about. If, on the other hand, you notice streams of floaters escorted by flashes of light, it could be time to seek immediate medical attention from your Wildwood optometrist. The great number of floaters along with the flashes of light could be a sign that the vitreous is actually detaching from your retina or that your retina is dislodging itself from the back of your eye.
Talk With Your Eye Doctor
Occasional floaters in Wildwood are nothing to be concerned with. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to your eye doctor about what you’re experiencing. He or she can talk to you about potential causes or treatment options. It’s also a good idea to inform your optometrist of these vision changes, so he or she can have a clear picture of your overall eye health.
Floaters are typically harmless, but it can be a sign of an emergency. Always talk with your eye doctor in Wildwood, FL, during your regular eye exams. It’s better to mention a harmless issue than to ignore signs of a potential emergency.
