Eye Floaters: What They Are and When to Worry
Have you ever noticed tiny black or gray specks, strings, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision? These are called eye floaters, and they’re more common than you might think—affecting nearly 70% of people at some point.
Floaters are usually the result of age-related changes in the eye’s vitreous—the clear, gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina. As we age, the vitreous begins to shrink, causing protein fibers within it to clump together. These clumps cast shadows on the retina, which appear as floaters in your field of vision.
In most cases, floaters are harmless and fade over time. However, seek immediate medical help if you notice: