We have all been there: you’re staring at a clear blue sky or a blank white wall, and suddenly, a small, gray “cobweb” or “worm” or little specks drift across what you are looking at. You try to look directly at it, but it zips away.

These are eye floaters, and for the vast majority of people, they are a perfectly normal part of the aging process. They are more likely to be seen when you are looking at something brighter and with uniform background like clear blue sky.

But it’s really important that you understand the difference between a minor annoyance and a medical red flag.

While most floaters are harmless, they can be the first warning sign of serious conditions like retinal detachment or a bleed into the retina or vitreous gel in front of the retina.

Occasionally people might report shadows or ghosting around objects as having something floating in the vision and this can be related to condition like keratoconus.

Inside your eye is a jelly-like substance called the vitreous humour.

When you are young, this jelly is thick and consistent. As you age, the vitreous begins to liquefy and shrink. During this process, tiny fibres within the vitreous can clump together.

What you are actually “seeing” isn’t an object on the outside of your eye; it is the shadow that these clumps cast on your retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye).

While a few floaters are normal, seeing many more of them is not.

As the vitreous gel shrinks, it can sometimes tug on the retina. If it pulls hard enough, it can cause a retinal tear or, more severely, a retinal detachment.

Think of the retina like wallpaper on a wall. If a hole forms and fluid gets behind it, the wallpaper begins to peel off.

This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent permanent vision loss.

Flashes
Seeing sudden flashes of light (photopsia), similar to lightning bolts or camera flashes, especially in your peripheral vision.

Shadows
A dark curtain or shadow moving across your field of vision from any direction.

Sudden Increase
A dramatic, sudden increase in the number or size of floaters.

Blurred Vision
A sudden drop in visual clarity that cannot be corrected by blinking.

If you experience these symptoms, do not wait. Contact our Practice or an emergency department immediately.

Most people associate floaters strictly with the back of the eye (the retina).

However, patients with keratoconus often report visual disturbances that they describe as “floaters” or “ghosting,” even though the cause is entirely different.

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea—the clear, front window of the eye—thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina.

In the early stages of keratoconus, the irregular curvature of the cornea causes monocular polyopia (seeing multiple images with one eye). Patients often describe:

Ghosting:
Seeing a faint duplicate of an object drifting just off to the side.

Streaking:
Light appearing to “smear” or “float” away from its source.

Because the cornea is distorted, microscopic irregularities in the tear film, or minor corneal scarring can create shadows that mimic floaters.

“Floaters” associated with keratoconus different.

If you find that your “spots” stay in one fixed position relative to what you are looking at, rather than at least partly drifting through your vision, it may be a sign of corneal irregularity rather than vitreous clumping floaters. This can also be a sign of macula problems and should not be ignored.

When it comes to complex symptoms like floaters and distorted vision, a “one-size-fits-all” eye exam isn’t enough.

We have invested in advanced diagnostic technology, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Corneal Topography, that allows us to see what’s happening at both the front and back of your eye.

OCT imaging allows us to see “under the surface” of the retina to detect microscopic tears before they become detachments.

Corneal topography maps the “hills and valleys” of your cornea to catch keratoconus in its earliest, most treatable stages.

If you have lived with a few floaters for years, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, your eyes are your most precious sense, and “watching and waiting” can be risky.

We recommend a comprehensive eye exam if:
• You haven’t had your retina checked in over two years.
• You notice any new spots or shapes.
• Your vision feels “distorted” or “smeary,” which could point toward keratoconus.

Your vision is our priority. Whether it’s a simple case of aging vitreous or a complex corneal condition, we are here to provide the personalised care you need.

Have you noticed a change in your vision lately? Schedule your comprehensive eye test today and let’s ensure your eyes stay healthy for years to come.