What are Floaters?
The medical term for floaters is Vitreous opacities. Floaters are small dark threadlike shapes that drift or glide across your vision. They may look like gray or black spots or specks, squiggly lines, or even little cobwebs. They appear to dart away when you try to look at them directly.
If we look at the cross-section of the eye, we find that anteriorly; one sees the cornea [black round part] and the sclera [the white part of the eye]. However, there is a whole machinery working behind the scenes to make us see, and see very well. Ensconced between the lens and the retina lies the vitreous jelly; the function of which is to stabilize the eye. The vitreous is made up of 98% water and 2% of collagen, salts, sugar & protein. There are also phagocytes, or cells that help keep the eye clean. As we advance in age, this jelly liquifies and contracts. Scattered clumps of collagen fiber lump together and float around; casting a shadow on the retina. These are known as floaters. However, the symptoms are largely [70%] connected with ageing, Floaters can also appear due to other conditions like Myopia [short-sightedness] owing to an elongated axial length of the eye, trauma or injury, post cataract surgery or a history of detached retina.
Due to the liquification of the vitreous, it can pull on the retina resulting in Retinal tear or result in a detached retina. This may stem a sudden onset of many floaters and denotes that the retina is in distress.
If you notice a sudden increase of floaters in the eye(s), incidences of flashing lights, a curtain like covering descending downwards or change in visual acuity, contact your optometrist or an eye specialist immediately. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention. However, most people have a few floaters that come and go, and these often don't need treatment.
There do exist a couple of treatments like Pan Plana Vitrectomy whereby the entire vitreous jelly is extracted from the eye. The other procedure is known as YAG laser Vitreolysis. Both these treatments have not been quite successful and are considered risky. These are advised only in extreme circumstances.
It has been suggested that the natural approach towards treating this condition is to consume pineapples. The bromelain in the pineapples helps to break down the proteins and thin them out. An experiment conducted on about 188 individuals was promising but is not accompanied with scientific research and can therefore not be completely relied upon.
As a parting shot, I will advice anyone who experiences sudden blurred vision, curtain like drape descending and/or flashing lights should seek immediate ophthalmological intervention. This could be very instrumental in saving your eyesight.
All The Best