Understanding Floaters

Floaters are dark shapes or clouds that typically drift across your vision. They may appear as spots, threads, cobwebs, clouds of varying size or rings.

The vitreous jelly can separate from the surface of the retina, this is known as a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (or PVD). The onset of a PVD is usually associated with the development or a sudden increase in floaters.

Individuals with a PVD may develop a retinal tear which in turn can lead to a retinal detachment; both are treatable but best detected and treated as soon as possible. For that reason individuals with a sudden change in floaters should seek advice urgently.

Floaters can be a vision impairing problem with or without a PVD.

Floaters can sometimes be due to bleeding into the vitreous or inflammation in the eye. Both of these can have important causes needing appropriate treatment.

Whilst usually mildly symptomatic floaters can have a very serious impact on both the vision and quality of life of some individuals. It is reasonable to consider treatment if the vision is affected badly enough.

Warning Signs (Seek Urgent Review)

  • Sudden onset of new floaters

  • Flashing lights in your vision

  • Shadow or curtain across vision

  • Sudden increase in number of floaters

Treatment Options

Floaters are usually treated to improve vision, they do not usually need to be treated simply because they are there, nor to prevent deterioration. Occasionally an underlying cause will need treatment.

Laser treatment (Yag Laser Vitreolysis) has been used to treat small opaque floaters. For more significant or troublesome floaters, vitrectomy surgery may be the best option. Mr Laidlaw will discuss the most appropriate options based on your individual circumstances. Vitamins and drops have not been shown to work for most causes of floaters.

What Happens During Assessment?

A comprehensive floater assessment includes a thorough discussion of the symptoms and examination of the entire eye to establish the cause of the floaters, rule out important problems and come up with treatment recommendations. It is often possible to record the severity of floaters on a scan.

Why Choose Mr Laidlaw?

Mr Alistair Laidlaw is one of the UK's best known and most experienced Vitreo Retinal surgeons. In his 27 years as an NHS consultant at St Thomas' Hospital London and The Maidstone Hospital Kent he has performed and taught retinal surgery and published over 70 research papers. He has been elected President of both the British & Eire Association of Vitreo Retinal Surgeons (BEAVRS) and Euretina.

His expertise means he can provide accurate diagnosis at The London Clinic Eye Centre, 119 Harley Street, London W1G 6AU. If surgery is needed, this is performed at The London Clinic, 20 Devonshire Place, London.