Question 1

what causes floaters and are they dangerous or warning signs?

Accepted Answer

Vitreous detachment: Floaters are caused by the vitreous (jelly in the eye) detaching from the retina (typically a normal change in the aging eye).  The vitreous clumps up or develops blurry areas within the jelly causing your floater.  Yes they can be a warning sign.  If when the vitreous changes, causing floaters, the retina is torn you are at risk for a retinal detachment.  You should have and examination.

Question 2

what causes floaters? thyroid?

Accepted Answer

New floaters =&gt; exam: If theye are new onset, get an eye exam urgently.  Floaters in the eye have several causes. The most common cause is degeneration of the vitreous fluid. The floaters gradually get worse, and persist. Sudden increase in floaters may be caused by vitreous separation (detachment) and may associated with a retinal tear or detachment, and an urgent eye exam is advisable.  Thyroid has no relation.

Question 3

what causes floaters in the eyes

Accepted Answer

They are shadows: A shadow is created when light hits anything floating inside your eye. You see this shadow as a floater.  Floaters are most often benign, but can possibly be serious. You should have a complete eye exam from an eye md.

Question 4

can prolonged laptop use cause floaters?

Accepted Answer

No: There are many causes of floaters and all of them are in your eyes.  Using your eyes does not cause floaters.

Question 5

what would cause my sudden change in vision with floaters?

Accepted Answer

Urgent situation: The most likely cause is either a retinal tear, a detachment or a vitreous hemorrhage.  Usually the vitreous will collapse sometime during our life, and usually before age 60, and can cause any of the above to be associated with it.  It is very important to call an ophthalmologist and be seen urgently.  There may be other causes but these would be the most concerning to be checked.

Question 6

what causes daily floaters/flashers and other visual problems?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Floaters can be caused by blood, cells in the vitreous or opacities in the vitreous itself.

Flashes can be caused by the vitreous tugging on the retina, retinal inflammation or migraine.

New flashes and floaters might be due to a retinal tear.  A retinal tear may cause a retinal detachment - a potentially blinding condition.

Get examined.

Question 7

what may cause someone to see an increase of floaters/spot things?

Accepted Answer

Floaters: Floaters are thickenings in the vitreous jelly inside the eye.  They are common with age, myopia, inflammation, trauma, and other issues.  They are benign and do not damage your vision.  Rarely, they can cause retinal tears which may require laser treatment.  Otherwise, no treatment is needed.  In very rare cases, the floaters can become dense enough to block vision and may need surgical removal.

Question 8

what would cause clear swirling circles when looking at white walls or on a bright day or when light is shinning in windows? not normal floaters.

Accepted Answer

Entoptics: You are seeing your white blood cells swirling around in that circumstance.  This is normal and is a sign of excellent eye health.  It has to do with the anatomy of the retina; a little too complex to explain in this short a space.

Question 9

what causes eye floaters?

Accepted Answer

The Vitreous: The vitreous is composed of a clear liquid called hyaluronic acid and fibers called collagen. As we age the vitreous becomes less solid and the collagen fibers become more visible (synuresis). The spots you see are these collagen fiber clumps. They do not cause harm to the eye, they just get in the way. If they are very prominent and reduce visual function  they can be removed with a vitrectomy.

Question 10

can cosopt cause floaters?

Accepted Answer

Rarely : Floating spots have been reported with Cosopt™ but rare and likely related to corneal effects rather than actual changes in vitreous composition.

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What causes floaters and are they dangerous or warning signs?

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What causes floaters? thyroid?

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What causes floaters in the eyes

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Can prolonged laptop use cause floaters?

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What would cause my sudden change in vision with floaters?

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What causes daily floaters/flashers and other visual problems?

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What may cause someone to see an increase of floaters/spot things?

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What would cause clear swirling circles when looking at white walls or on a bright day or when light is shinning in windows? not normal floaters.

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What causes eye floaters?

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Can cosopt cause floaters?

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