Dr. Vaibhev Mittal
Ophthalmology (Eye Care)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have had an eye floater for around six months and my eye specialist said my eyes are fine but recently I have been getting a cluster of small moving dots in the eyes. Currently, I am taking anti-anxiety drugs and beta blockers.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Floaters are usually benign and do not need any treatment. There is no eyedrop for floaters. The only way to get rid of them is to avoid them. Floaters are annoying, and it takes a few weeks or months to suppress them. Floaters in hundreds are suggestive of retina issues. As you have already consulted an ophthalmologist and your retina is fine, you need not worry about it. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the response. What causes floaters or little dots? Kindly suggest.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
An eye has two compartments: anterior and posterior. The posterior compartment is mostly filled with a gel-like substance known as vitreous. Ninety-eight percent (98 %) of vitreous is water, and the major extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules are collagen type II fibers and hyaluronic acid. With age, the protein fibers that make up the vitreous shrink down to little shreds that clump together, which cast shadows on the retina when light enters the eye, which is appreciated as floaters. When the eye and the vitreous gel inside the eye move, these clumps move. Thereby, their shadows drift, which gives the impression of floaters. Eye floaters are particularly pronounced if you gaze at a white or light-colored background. Other less common conditions associated with eye floaters are posterior vitreous detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, inflammation in the posterior segment of the eye and YAG laser capsulotomy etc. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. I never knew how or why the floaters occurred. So are they nothing serious or harmless?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, the floaters are mostly benign. I have three floaters in my left eye, and I have had them for the last 14 years. So, there is nothing to worry about it. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the response. They are more annoying than anything. So they are definitely nothing serious and are usually harmless.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I agree the floaters are annoying. But try to give the cold shoulder to them. Focus on some other task when you start seeing floaters. This will help you. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Do the floaters go away eventually? Kindly suggest.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
No, the floaters would not go ever. They will slowly become less annoying, and you will stop seeing them one day. But your brain will learn to ignore them and to keep them out of your active focus.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
That is fine. I think since I am worried about them, that is why I am seeing them more. My anxiety is making me worry about them more than I should.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, it is very normal to be anxious. As you know everything about them, you should stop worrying. Floaters should not give you anxiety now. Whenever you see them, just remember that these floaters will vanish. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you so much for all your help. I am going to ignore them and pretend they are not there.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I hope I have answered all your queries. Thank you.
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Ophthalmology (Eye Care)
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