I have a floater in my eye

[GURUving]

It is annoying, but somewhat interesting as well.

This thing goes where my eye tells it too. It doesn't want to disappear.
What the heck is it?

[ibegurpard]

1. I have those too.

They were annoying at first but after a while I stopped noticing them.

[cally]

2. Sadly, it's old age

I rushed to the eye doctor about a month ago with a floater. They sort of laughed at me. It's very common as you age. I think you can expect more. Mine drives me nuts. Sigh.

[ibegurpard]

4. You'll get used to them

The only time I ever notice mine anymore are in certain types of light or when I'm thinking about them and look for them

[BiggJawn]

6. Old Age???? I had 'em in my 20's...

Fortunately, they've not increased wih the years. Guess that's ONE Diabetic problem that hasn't found me yet!

[ibegurpard]

8. That's when I noticed my first one

About the age of 27.

[Maple]

7. Oh it is not

sheesh...everything on here is supposedly some sign of age.

I had them as a kid. Big deal.

[cally]

18. Sorry, my eye doctor implied that

My mistake.

[diamond14]

3. diabetes can injure your eyes like that.....you must see a doctor....

.

[ibegurpard]

Oh, I agree

It's always a good idea to see an eye doctor regularly. I should've qualified my statements above my saying I had repeated doctor visits that told me nothing was wrong.

[GURUving]

5. Really?

What causes these things?

They are almost see through, and seem harmless, but are annoying.

[ibegurpard]

9. No one seemed to be able to give me a definitive answer on that

:shrug:

[CatWoman]

14. Floaters and Flashers

I started getting them at around 40. I was very alarmed, and went to the eye doctor. Nothing to worry about (most of the time). I just turned 48, and don't get them as often now.


Eye floaters

Floaters are tiny dark specks that can be seen in your field of vision, especially when you look at a blue sky, a white wall or any other uninterrupted, light coloured expanse. They are created when tiny clumps form in the clear, jelly-like substance (the 'vitreous humour') inside the eyeball. As these tiny floaters are suspended in this 'jelly', they move when your eyeball moves. As a result, if you try to look directly at them, they appear to disappear from sight. Floaters can come in different sizes and shapes. Some look like little dots, while others appear like threads or little hairy clumps. In most cases, floaters are normal and harmless. However, a sudden increase in their number may indicate damage to particular internal structures of the eye. This requires professional attention.

Age related changes
Floaters tend to become more prolific with age, because the vitreous humour loses moisture with advancing years and pulls slightly away from the retina. This separation of vitreous humour from the retina can cause small shreds of jelly to break off and form more floaters. At first, this can be irritating. Over time, the brain can become accustomed to the floaters and may decide not to 'inform' you of their presence.


http://www.disability.vic.gov.au/dsonline/dsarticles.nsf/pages/Eye_floaters?OpenDocument

[ibegurpard]

16. Thanks Catwoman!

:hi:

[GURUving]

17. Thanks CatWoman

that was very helpful.

I think I need to find a way to reverse the aging process.

Any ideas out there?

[impeach the gop]

10. I've had one for years now.

At least for 15 years or longer. I hardly notice it anymore. But it was Freaky at first. Drove me nuts. You'll get used to it. It can help pass some time if your waiting for a bus. Just follow the bouncing ball :-)

[ibegurpard]

11. ROFL!

How true!

[mmm]

12. we all got 'em

[Lisa0825]

13. I've had them as long as I can remember.

I remember being like 7 years old, and trying to tell my mom about them, and she thought I was nuts. Sometimes they get worse, and it is really annoying, and sometimes I don't notice them. I have heard that they can be formed from either protein deposits or scar tissue. I think the ones i had as a kid were scar tissue from when I got things in my eye and then rubbed it, and had to go to an eye doc. The ones that come and go must be protein deposits.

I have heard a commercial for a product called Ocular Nutrition, which says it can make them disappear. I have thought about trying it, but Paul Harvey advertises for them, and most of his advertisers are conservative companies!LOL

[bratcatinok]

15. The opthamologist calls them

floaters too. The inside of your eye is continuously shedding cells and normally they completely detach and float down to the bottom inside of your eyeball. The one's that don't completely detach will waive around in the fluid of your eyeball. Eventually they do detach but it can take months or years. Of course, then you'll just get another floater, maybe in the same eye or maybe in the other eye.

[GURUving]

20. I had heard of "floaters"

but never knew what they were. I wasn't sure if this was what they are, but they sure sound like it. To me, they look like see through paramecium or some creepy worm in my eye. It's spooky.

[Khephra]

19. Someone is making a horror film about eye floaters

It's about time, I say!

[ibegurpard]

21. Are you serious?

Leave it to you to know about something like that. :P

[fishnfla]

22. Posterior vitreous detachment

PVD we put in the chart. Very common and a PIA no doubt. They are cells or clumps of cells from vitreous tissue hanging out in the posterior chamber of your eye. Usually harmless, 99% of the time

If you should ever notice a sudden onset of numerous floaters along with flashing lights, a loss of vision and a curtain or veil across your sight, then you may be having a more serious retinal problem. There are only 3 or 4 true eye emergencies, this could be one, you should have a dilated retinal exam within 24 hours of these symptoms

Floaters have nothing to do with age, but with age (over 60) they can be a symptom of serious eye problems, specifically occult retinal tissue disorders, optic nerve disease, and ocular circulation conditions .

I could go on but everyone fell asleep already....

[GURUving]

23. Thanks for that info

THAT is helpful.

yeah.

[PDittie]

24. Yes, you can go blind if it's not

diagnosed quickly and treated, usually with surgery.

Right, Doctor?

Flashing bars of light in your peripheral vision is the symptom...