What causes floaters?

Floaters are caused by vitreous detachment.

Initially, the vitreous is attached to the retina and fills the entire posterior chamber of the eye. As we get older the composition of the vitreous body changes. It shrinks somewhat and the jelly-like substance or vitreum becomes more liquid. As a result, the vitreous membrane may come away from the retina, creating a space between the retina and the vitreous body or a posterior vitreous detachment. This space will fill up with water. While this is happening, impurities will form in the vitreous, which the patient will experience as tiny objects moving up and down, known as floaters. These floaters can be quite disconcerting. Patients will mainly notice them in strong light, while looking at a blue sky or a white wall. For the treatment of floaters please refer to the next page.

Vitreous detachment: symptoms

The following complaints could indicate vitreous detachment: