Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Floaters
Noticing strange spots or squiggly lines drifting across your vision?
You might be seeing eye floaters — and while they're usually harmless, sometimes they're a signal that your eyes need urgent attention.
As an optometrist clinic in Edmonton, we always get questions about floaters. Here's everything you need to know straight from the experts at Helio Optometry.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Floaters are tiny clumps of collagen floating inside your eye's vitreous humour — the clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the space between your lens and retina.
You'll usually notice them as:
Transparent threads
Small dots
Cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision
Floaters move as your eyes move, and they're most visible when you're staring at something bright and plain, like a blue sky or white wall.
Why Do Eye Floaters Happen?
The vitreous humour inside your eye is mostly water, but it also contains collagen and hyaluronic acid. Over time, two key changes can cause floaters to form:
Clumping of collagen fibers: As the vitreous ages, the collagen strands can stick together, casting tiny shadows on the retina that appear as floaters.
Syneresis: This is a natural process where the vitreous gel begins to liquefy and shrink, creating pockets of fluid and denser material that move inside the eye.
Common causes of floaters include:
Normal aging (the most common cause)
Eye injury
Eye inflammation
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
Post-surgical changes, such as after cataract surgery
Floaters aren't always age-related — some people notice them at a young age or even have them from birth.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor for Floaters?
Most floaters are harmless and simply a normal part of life.
But sometimes, they're a red flag.
See an eye doctor immediately if you notice:
A sudden explosion of new floaters
Bright flashes of light
A curtain or shadow moving over your vision
Loss of peripheral (side) vision
These can be signs of retinal tear or detachment, a serious condition that requires emergency eye care. Our optometrists can diagnose this and refer you to a retinal specialist in Edmonton for immediate treatment.
At Helio Optometry, we recommend scheduling an eye exam if you ever feel unsure. It's always better to catch problems early.
Are you concerned about your floaters? Helio Optometry offers same-day eye exams in Edmonton. Contact Us.
How Are Eye Floaters Treated?
In most cases, no treatment is needed.
Your brain often adjusts and learns to ignore floaters over time.
However, if floaters become so dense that they significantly affect your vision, treatment options may include:
Vitrectomy: Surgical removal of the vitreous gel (only for severe cases)
Laser therapy: Rarely used, but may break up particularly troublesome floaters
Your optometrist will guide you on whether intervention makes sense based on your symptoms.
New Research in Eye Floater Treatments
An exciting new development comes from PulseMedica, a local Edmonton company working on innovative ways to treat eye floaters. Their technology uses highly targeted laser therapy to break up floaters inside the eye. Although still in the research and development phase, early studies show promise for a non-invasive future treatment option. We look forward to seeing how these advancements may offer more solutions for managing floaters over the coming years.
What Is Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)?
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) happens when the vitreous gel shrinks and pulls away from your retina — a normal change that happens for many people with age.
PVD often causes an increase in floaters and flashes of light, but by itself, it typically doesn't cause permanent vision loss.
That said, PVD can sometimes lead to retinal tears or retinal detachment, so it's important to monitor any new symptoms carefully.
Can PVD Lead to Serious Eye Problems?
In some cases, yes.
If the shrinking vitreous pulls too hard on the retina, it can cause a tear — which dramatically raises the risk of retinal detachment.
Signs to watch for:
A sudden flood of floaters
Flashes of light
A shadow moving across your vision
If you experience these symptoms, do not wait. You need emergency eye care right away to protect your sight.
What Is Retinal Detachment — And How Is It Different?
Retinal detachment is when the retina peels away from the inside wall of the eye.
Unlike floaters or PVD, retinal detachment is an emergency — it can cause permanent vision loss if not treated immediately.
Warning signs include:
Flashing lights
A surge of new floaters
A dark shadow across your vision
Treatment usually involves surgery, including:
Laser procedures
Cryotherapy (freezing treatment)
Vitrectomy (removing the vitreous gel)
Fast action = saved vision. Never ignore symptoms that could signal retinal detachment.
Can You Tell the Difference Between PVD and Retinal Detachment at Home?
In the early stages, Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) and retinal tears or detachments can cause very similar symptoms:
New floaters
Flashes of light
A shadow or curtain effect across your vision
Here's the tricky part:
Mild PVD symptoms (like a few floaters or brief flashes) are often harmless.
Retinal tears or detachments start with similar signs — but they can escalate quickly to serious vision loss.
The difference isn't always obvious.
Sometimes, optometrists and ophthalmologists can only detect a small retinal tear through specialized dilated eye exams and Optomap Ultra Widefield retinal imaging scans.
Signs that should always trigger an immediate eye exam:
A sudden flood of new floaters (not just a few)
Persistent flashes of light (not occasional flickers)
Loss of peripheral vision (even small)
Dark curtain or shadow that moves across your vision
Bottom Line: If you experience new floaters, flashes, or a shadow in your vision, you need an emergency eye exam — even if you think it might just be a harmless PVD. Early detection is the key to preventing permanent vision loss
Eye Floaters: Quick Answers to Common Questions.
-
Sometimes floaters settle out of your line of sight, but they usually don't fully disappear.
-
No, floaters are typically eye-related and not linked to stroke symptoms. But flashing lights or vision loss should always be evaluated quickly.
-
Most floaters are harmless, but a sudden increase can signal a serious problem needing urgent care.
-
No, but new or worsening floaters can be a warning sign of retinal detachment, which needs immediate attention. Left untreated, a retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss.
-
Not really — floaters are usually a natural part of aging, though protecting your eyes from injury can help.
-
They may become less noticeable as your brain adapts, but the number of floaters can increase with age.
Trusted Eye Exams for Floaters in Edmonton
If you're concerned about floaters, don't guess — let a trained eye doctor at Helio Optometry in Edmonton help.
We offer comprehensive eye exams in Edmonton, including same-day appointments for urgent symptoms. Our experienced team of optometrists is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to make sure your eyes are healthy, and your vision is protected.
Whether it's a routine checkup or emergency eye care, we're here when you need us most.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this blog post by Helio Optometry eye care clinic in West Edmonton is intended solely for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a Licensed Optometrist. No doctor/patient relationship is established through the use of this blog. The information and resources presented are not meant to endorse or recommend any particular medical treatment or guarantee and outcome. Readers must consult with their own healthcare provider regarding their health concerns. Helio Optometry and its optometrists do not assume any liability for the information contained herein nor for any errors or omissions. Use of the blog's content is at the user's own risk, and users are encouraged to make informed decisions about their health care based on consultations with qualified professionals.
