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Eye floaters - Overview

Alternative Names

Specks in the eye

Information:

The floating specks you sometimes see in front of your eyes are not on the surface of your eyes, but inside them. These floaters are bits of cellular debris that come and go without treatment. To some people, these "floaters" look like spots. To others, they look like tiny threads.

Most of the time they are nothing to worry about, but sometimes they can be a symptom of a retinal tear. If you notice a sudden increase in floaters or if you see floaters along with flashes of light, this may be a symptom of retinal detachment. Call your eye doctor.

If you have other vision disturbances, see vision abnormalities.

  • Reviewed last on: 10/27/2009
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Crouch ER Jr, Crouch ER, Grant T. Ophthalmology. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 53.

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