Will you go blind from floaters as you get older?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Floaters generally do not cause blindness or loss of vision. Floaters can be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters. Physiological floaters generally do not cause changes in vision; their symptoms primarily appear under bright light, where one can see fixed floating objects in front of the eyes, appearing in various shapes, which become unclear in darker environments. In such cases, it is important to rest and use some aminoacyl iodine eye drops for improvement. Pathological floaters should prompt a visit to the ophthalmology department for serious and thorough examinations, proactive treatment, and can completely recover vision with regular follow-ups.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can teenagers get floaters?

Floater syndrome can also occur in adolescents. Floater syndrome is also known as vitreous haze. Mild vitreous haze does not affect vision, but it is more noticeable under bright light. The shapes vary, and they seem to fly in front of the eyes, typically not visible in darker environments, which means they are hard to see at night. In such cases, it is important to rest properly and use one's eyes correctly. If there is any refractive error, it should be correctly addressed with appropriate glasses. If conditions like myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism are not actively treated, they can lead to varying degrees of amblyopia or strabismus, thus they should be taken seriously.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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What will happen if the floater condition becomes severe?

Floater, also called vitreous opacity, can affect vision if it is severe. Vitreous opacity can be divided into physiological and pathological types. Physiological vitreous opacities, generally referred to as floaters, do not affect vision. They are more visible in bright light and less visible in dim light or at night. Treatment primarily involves rest, proper eye usage, and the appropriate use of Amiodine eye drops, with regular check-ups recommended. If vision is affected, further examination in an ophthalmology department is advised, including checks of intraocular pressure, an ocular B-scan ultrasound, and fundus photography, with treatment adjusted according to the condition and regular reviews. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can people with floaters drink alcohol?

Floaters refer to vitreous opacities, which can be classified into physiological vitreous opacities and pathological vitreous opacities. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision. Their main symptom is that objects floating in front of the eyes become more noticeable in bright light and less visible in darker environments or at night. Drinking alcohol does not affect physiological vitreous opacities. However, pathological vitreous opacities do affect vision and require active treatment and examination to alleviate their impact on vision. For pathological vitreous opacities, it is generally advised not to consume alcohol, to follow a light diet, to rest adequately, and to undergo regular check-ups.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Does floaters need surgery?

The commonly mentioned "floaters" in ophthalmology refer to the turbidity in the vitreous body of the eyes. In most cases, this phenomenon is normal; it is a normal physiological degenerative change of the vitreal body and generally does not have much impact on vision. In such cases, surgery is not needed. However, if there is a pathological change in the eye, such as bleeding at the base of the eye, and blood flows into the vitreous body, causing turbidity, surgery can be considered if this severely affects vision.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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How to treat blurry vision and floaters?

Blurry vision and floaters should prompt an examination by an ophthalmologist. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision, but if they do, active treatment is required. Vitreous cloudiness can also be seen in patients with refractive errors, which include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. In these cases, correct pupil dilation and optical correction should be done. After alleviating the issues with glasses, it is important to use the eyes properly, and orthokeratology can also be used. Once the prescription stabilizes, surgical treatment can be considered. However, surgical treatment generally only relieves the refractive condition and does not solve the nature of eye surrounding issues. Hence, it is crucial to use the eyes correctly and be cautious of further increase in the prescription.