Where they come from
They are condensations in the vitreous, the gel that fills the eye. With age the vitreous partly liquefies and these tiny structures cast their shadow on the retina. You notice them most against a plain, bright surface — a white wall, the sky.
When to see an ophthalmologist immediately
A sudden increase in the number of floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow at the edge of the field of view all call for urgent ophthalmological attention: they can indicate retinal traction or a retinal detachment.
An optometric assessment evaluates visual function and does not replace an examination by an ophthalmologist. Diagnosis and treatment remain the responsibility of a medical eye specialist, and we work alongside one whenever that is needed.