It happens that a person is faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as “fly spots” floating before his eyes. They become brighter if you look at sparkling snow, sky or other light surface. As a rule, the flashing of “floaters” before the eyes is associated with a change in the structure of the vitreous body. Let's look at why this problem occurs.
Between the lens and the retina of the human eye is the vitreous body - a cavity filled with a special gel-like substance. It contains 99% water and 1% other substances, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc. In its normal state, it is completely transparent. This is due to the specific structure and specific composition of molecules.
Under the influence of various unfavorable factors, clouding or destruction of the vitreous body may occur. In this case, it changes its composition and volume, and also loses its optical transparency due to a violation of the structure. Various cloudiness appears in it, and it seems to a person that “flies” are flying before his eyes.
Flashing “flies” before the eyes: causes
In most cases, “fly spots” flashing before the eyes is associated precisely with vitreous disease. This phenomenon can be caused by a number of reasons, one of which is the age-related characteristics of the body. Often “floaters” appear before the eyes after 40 years of age due to the fact that some of the cells of the vitreous body lose their transparency and unite into clumps, which, when light penetrates into the eye, are perceived by a person in the form of “flies”, “chromosomes”, “octopuses”, etc.
It is impossible to say unequivocally that the reason for the appearance of this pathology is related to natural age-related processes in the body. In some cases, it can appear in youth. For example, in case of severe injuries to the organ of vision, blood can enter the vitreous body, which also contributes to the disruption of its transparency. As a result, brown or black “floaters” appear in the eyes. In this case, there is a strong decrease in vision clarity. In addition, this effect can be observed if a medicine or other substance gets inside the vitreous. “Flies” fly before the eyes if there are infectious and inflammatory processes in the organs of vision. This phenomenon is usually accompanied by painful symptoms, redness of the eyes and decreased clarity of vision. Another reason for the appearance of pathology is the movement of the vitreous body (its departure from the back wall of the eye). This process is accompanied by periodic flickering and flashes with a gradual increase in the number of “flies”.
“Floaters” before the eyes: causes:
- Destruction of the vitreous body associated with age-related characteristics of the body (observed after 40 years);
- Serious eye injuries in which particles of blood or other substances enter the clear fluid;
- An infectious process in the organs of vision, accompanied by inflammation;
- The departure of the vitreous body from the back wall of the eye.
How dangerous are “floaters” before your eyes? They are not a dangerous symptom only if their appearance is caused precisely by age-related changes in the visual system. In other cases, the pathology requires surgical treatment, as serious complications can occur, including loss of vision.
Cost of treatment
The Moscow Eye Clinic selects the most optimal way to get rid of floaters and vitreous opacities after consultation with a specialist in the posterior part of the eye (retinologist or vitreoretinal surgeon).
The ophthalmologists-retinologists of our clinic are Natalya Gennadievna Rozhkova and Darejan Nugzarevna Gigineishvili, who have the most modern laser methods for treating diseases of the retina and vitreous body (without opening the eyeball).
The clinic's ophthalmic surgeons, Oleg Evgenievich Ilyukhin and Sergey Vladimirovich Ivanov, perform vitreoretinal operations for severe lesions of the vitreous body: hemophthalmia (hemorrhage), ruptures and detachments of the retina.
You can find out the cost of a particular procedure or make an appointment at the Moscow Eye Clinic by calling in Moscow 8(499)322-36-36 (daily from 9:00 to 21:00) or using the online registration form.
Yakovleva Yulia Valerievna
“Floaters” in the eyes: other causes
The flickering of “floaters” before the eyes associated with vitreous disease is systematic and does not go away on its own over time. If the pathology occurs periodically, it can be caused by a number of diseases, among which the most common are: diabetes mellitus, anemia and cervical osteochondrosis.
In addition, due to a sharp change in pressure, as well as traumatic brain injury, “spots” often appear before the eyes.
It is impossible to independently determine the cause of the pathology at home. To choose the right course of treatment, a reliable diagnosis is necessary. Therefore, it is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner. Especially if the flickering of the spots is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, as well as redness and pain in the eyes.
“Floaters” in the eyes can occur when:
- High degree of myopia;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Anemia;
- Sudden changes in blood pressure;
- Internal bleeding;
- Cervical osteochondrosis;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Migraine;
- Intraocular tumor;
- Taking hormonal drugs;
- Psycho-emotional stress;
- Poisoning.
Prevention of floaters
How to prevent the appearance of annoying floating “floaters” before your eyes without seeking the help of a doctor? To a large extent, this is possible and accessible to everyone. However, there are no special preventive measures; they all consist in well-known principles of maintaining health, which include:
- Proper nutritious nutrition;
- Sufficient physical activity;
- Good rest, sleep;
- Getting rid of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs).
As for the eyes, they need to be protected from direct sunlight, injuries, dust, and various chemicals. If your eyes experience excessive strain, for example, when working with a display, a microscope, or small objects, you should follow an eye rest regimen, take breaks, and do special exercises.
Proper hygienic eye care is also necessary, especially for people who use contact lenses, and do not forget to regularly visit an ophthalmologist for preventive purposes.
Now you know why floaters appear before your eyes, as well as about the causes and treatment of abnormalities.
“Flies” are flying before my eyes: what to do?
If the spots in front of your eyes do not go away for a long time, you should consult a general practitioner, take a urine and blood test, and then undergo a comprehensive examination. When the cause of the pathology is associated with the destruction of the vitreous body, there is no therapeutic treatment. As a rule, surgical intervention is performed to get rid of the woven fibers using a laser (their destruction and evaporation). In severe cases, in the presence of significant opacities of the vitreous body, which contribute to decreased vision, vitrectomy is indicated - removal of the vitreous body with the aim of partially or completely replacing it with sterile saline solution.
If the cause of “fly spots” flashing before the eyes is associated with some other disease, then, as a rule, the problem goes away on its own with the correct selection of a course of treatment for the underlying disease.
Treatment methods for eye floaters:
- Laser destruction and evaporation of fused fibers in the vitreous body;
- Vitrectomy is a complete or partial replacement of the vitreous body with a clear sterile liquid.
- Diagnosis and selection of a course of treatment for the underlying disease that caused the appearance of “floaters” in the eyes.
Diagnostics
To make an accurate diagnosis and determine why goosebumps occur in the eyes, you need to undergo a diagnostic examination, which will be prescribed by your doctor. Basic diagnostic methods:
- Perimetry (determining the boundaries of visual fields).
- Ophthalmoscopy (examination of the fundus of the eye).
- Visual acuity study.
- Neuroimaging (MRI, CT).
Examination using a slit lamp allows one to detect destruction of the vitreous substance. During the procedure, a special lens (usually a Goldmann lens) is used, which helps to detect areas of tissue with an altered morphological structure in the area of the vitreous body and fundus.
When do black spots before the eyes not require treatment?
In some patients, in poor lighting or in complete darkness, white or black “floaters” appear simultaneously in front of the left and right eyes. Moreover, the problem is not associated with any diseases, including eye diseases. In this case, it is recommended to undergo an examination by a neurologist in order to determine possible pathologies that provoke the unpleasant phenomenon. If a specialist cannot determine why “floaters” appear before the eyes, we can assume that this phenomenon is an individual feature of a person’s perception of the world. At the same time, he can be completely healthy.
When floaters appear, it is not recommended to lift weights, make sudden movements, or bend down headfirst. Also, you should not try to get rid of the presence of a foreign body in the eye on your own. This can lead to damage to the tissues of the organs of vision, the appearance of an inflammatory process and other adverse consequences.
Many people are interested in how to protect themselves from this pathology. Ophthalmologists say that there is no way to prevent this problem from occurring.
However, you can reduce the risk of spots appearing before your eyes at an early age by following simple recommendations:
- Systematic examinations by an ophthalmologist;
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
- Taking vitamin complexes for the eyes;
- Protect your eyes from serious injury.
If you use contact correction products, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with a large selection of lenses from popular brands (including Acuvue, Proclear, Adria, Optosoft, Air Optix, Dailies and others) in the Ochkov.Net online store. With us you can easily place an order and receive products in the shortest possible time. We guarantee you high quality products, as we cooperate directly with manufacturers.
Prevention
Often the cause of this symptom is ordinary fatigue. Floaters and spots appear, impairing a person's visual function. To prevent the development of this symptom, certain preventive measures should be followed:
- healthy lifestyle,
- sport,
- proper nutrition,
- preventive examinations.
The best prevention of many diseases is leading a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes eliminating bad habits by quitting smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. It is also important to have a proper daily routine. This requires at least 8 hours of sleep and rest throughout the day. Alcohol and tobacco can clog blood vessels, and then not all tissues and organs can be fully nourished. This leads not only to vision problems, but also to other consequences.
As for sports, it is not necessary to exercise in the gym every day; it is enough to walk in the fresh air, do gymnastics in the morning and make these measures a habit.
Proper nutrition plays a big role in the functioning of the eyes and other human organs. To balance your diet, include more fruits, vegetables and drink enough water, at least 1.5 liters per day. It is important to consult a doctor in time if these symptoms occur and not to miss regular preventive examinations with an ophthalmologist. Regular visits to the ophthalmologist will help avoid many vision problems.
Thus, there can be many reasons for the appearance of midges before the eyes. These are diseases of the visual organs themselves or problems with internal organs that affect the quality of visual function. Treatment of a symptom begins with diagnosing the disease that causes it and involves performing various procedures and taking various medications.
