Floaters and the Vitreous of the Eye
The main purpose of the front half of the eye is to focus a clear image on the retina. The next step in the process of vision is to convert that visual information (light rays) into a chemical message for the brain to process. However, before the image reaches the retina, it must first pass through a jelly-like substance called the vitreous.
The vitreous fills most of the volume of the eye. It is mostly composed of water, but can also contain salt, sugar, a collagen called vitrosin, hyaluronic acid and other various proteins. When all these components are spaced out uniformly the vitreous remains clear and images pass on through to the retina undisturbed.
With time more water concentrates in the lower portion of the eye. This leaves more proteins in contact with one another in the superior portion of the eye. The positive and negative charges of the molecular components of these proteins attract one another and result in the various proteins clustering together. This clustering creates a floater, which creates an obstacle for images trying to reach the retina.
Floaters can have many different appearances. They can be transparent or solid black. They can appear as tiny dots, strings or rings. I've even had a patient how described their floater as an upside down question mark. Floaters aren't always caused by a breakdown of the vitreous.
Another common cause of floaters is a posterior vitreous detachment. The vitreous attaches to the retina at the optic nerve head (and other locations). Separation of the vitreous and optic nerve head usually occur due to trauma to the eye or breakdown of the vitreous with aging.
The collagen of the vitreous is more dense at this attachment, so once separation occurs a floater is immediately present. If the floater stays over the optic nerve it goes unnoticed (natural blindspot), but if the floater is over the retina (especially the macula) it can significantly reduce vision and be a constant annoyance.
Unfortunately, there is no medication to treat floaters and the risk of surgery to remove the floaters is greater than the potential benefit of the procedure (vitrectomy). Resolution of floaters depends on the thickness of the floaters.
Younger patients tend to have a thicker vitreous which holds the floater in its current location. Floaters can remain noticeable for years in these patients. Older patients with a more liquified vitreous tend to have floaters that settle lower in the eye out of sight. These floaters are noticeable for months.
In either case, the brain gets better at ignoring the floaters over time. The brain already does this for retinal blood vessels that cover the sensory cells of the retina. The brain learns to ignore these blood vessels over time because they do not move. Changing the direction of light entering the eye can cause a moving shadow across the floater resulting in only brief moments of awareness of the floater. This phenomenon is known as the Troxler effect.
For most patients, floaters are an annoyance, but a benign condition posing no threat to the visual system. However, it is a good idea to have the floaters examined by an Eye Doctor to be sure wasn't harmed during this change to the visual system.
When the vitreous and retina separate, it is usually goes smoothly without damage to either structure. There are rare instances when this separation can cause a hole in the retina. If vitreous leaks into this hole it can create a retinal detachment (rhegmentagenous). Retinal detachments can cause permanent vision loss and require treatment as soon as possible.
Floaters that are dark or smoke-like in nature can indicate blood leaking into the vitreous. This can happen when the retina and vitreous separate or it can indicate a scar tissue on the retina and high risk for a retinal detachment (tractional). Diabetics are at a higher risk for these types of retinal detachments. Diabetics with floaters should see an Eye Doctor as soon as possible.
Summary
The vitreous is a clear jelly filling most of the eye.
Floaters result a breakdown of the vitreous or trauma to the eye.
There is no treatment for floaters.
Floaters can persist for months or years.
Floaters rarely threaten the visual system, but should be examined to rule out a retinal detachment.
The vitreous fills most of the volume of the eye. It is mostly composed of water, but can also contain salt, sugar, a collagen called vitrosin, hyaluronic acid and other various proteins. When all these components are spaced out uniformly the vitreous remains clear and images pass on through to the retina undisturbed.
With time more water concentrates in the lower portion of the eye. This leaves more proteins in contact with one another in the superior portion of the eye. The positive and negative charges of the molecular components of these proteins attract one another and result in the various proteins clustering together. This clustering creates a floater, which creates an obstacle for images trying to reach the retina.
Floaters can have many different appearances. They can be transparent or solid black. They can appear as tiny dots, strings or rings. I've even had a patient how described their floater as an upside down question mark. Floaters aren't always caused by a breakdown of the vitreous.
Another common cause of floaters is a posterior vitreous detachment. The vitreous attaches to the retina at the optic nerve head (and other locations). Separation of the vitreous and optic nerve head usually occur due to trauma to the eye or breakdown of the vitreous with aging.
The collagen of the vitreous is more dense at this attachment, so once separation occurs a floater is immediately present. If the floater stays over the optic nerve it goes unnoticed (natural blindspot), but if the floater is over the retina (especially the macula) it can significantly reduce vision and be a constant annoyance.
Unfortunately, there is no medication to treat floaters and the risk of surgery to remove the floaters is greater than the potential benefit of the procedure (vitrectomy). Resolution of floaters depends on the thickness of the floaters.
Younger patients tend to have a thicker vitreous which holds the floater in its current location. Floaters can remain noticeable for years in these patients. Older patients with a more liquified vitreous tend to have floaters that settle lower in the eye out of sight. These floaters are noticeable for months.
In either case, the brain gets better at ignoring the floaters over time. The brain already does this for retinal blood vessels that cover the sensory cells of the retina. The brain learns to ignore these blood vessels over time because they do not move. Changing the direction of light entering the eye can cause a moving shadow across the floater resulting in only brief moments of awareness of the floater. This phenomenon is known as the Troxler effect.
For most patients, floaters are an annoyance, but a benign condition posing no threat to the visual system. However, it is a good idea to have the floaters examined by an Eye Doctor to be sure wasn't harmed during this change to the visual system.
When the vitreous and retina separate, it is usually goes smoothly without damage to either structure. There are rare instances when this separation can cause a hole in the retina. If vitreous leaks into this hole it can create a retinal detachment (rhegmentagenous). Retinal detachments can cause permanent vision loss and require treatment as soon as possible.
Floaters that are dark or smoke-like in nature can indicate blood leaking into the vitreous. This can happen when the retina and vitreous separate or it can indicate a scar tissue on the retina and high risk for a retinal detachment (tractional). Diabetics are at a higher risk for these types of retinal detachments. Diabetics with floaters should see an Eye Doctor as soon as possible.
Summary
The vitreous is a clear jelly filling most of the eye.
Floaters result a breakdown of the vitreous or trauma to the eye.
There is no treatment for floaters.
Floaters can persist for months or years.
Floaters rarely threaten the visual system, but should be examined to rule out a retinal detachment.
Thank you so much for this valuable information.
ReplyDeleteIt is people like you that really make a difference in the lives of people with eye floaters.
I suffered for 12 years from eye floaters and nothing I tried worked.
Drugs, nutrition, all types of doctors...you name it--the suffering never really went away.
Fortunately, I found out about a natural way that finally got rid of my eye floaters for good.
This article talks about it...
http://www.bestquicktips.com/eye_floaters
Hope it helps and keep up the good work!