Have you ever noticed tiny dots, squiggly lines, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision?
You may try to look directly at them, only to have them move away.
These are commonly known as eye floaters, and they can be surprisingly distracting—especially when you’re looking at a bright sky, a white wall, or a computer screen.
The good news is that most floaters are harmless. But when they appear suddenly or are accompanied by other changes in your vision, they can sometimes signal a problem that needs urgent attention.
What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?
Floaters are shadows cast by tiny structures or particles within the eye’s vitreous—the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina.
They can look like:
- Small black or gray dots
- Threads or strings
- Squiggly lines
- Rings
- Cobweb-like shapes
They often seem to move when your eyes move and may drift away when you try to look directly at them.
Why Do Floaters Appear?
One of the most common reasons is normal age-related change.
As we get older, the vitreous gel gradually becomes more liquid and can pull away from the retina. This process, known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), is common with aging and is usually harmless.
