When you look at something, it’s natural for your eyes to move. This is because your eyes are constantly trying to find the best place to focus. When you’re looking at something close-up, like a book, your eyes will move up and down. When you’re looking at something far away, like a mountain, your eyes will move from side-to-side.
But sometimes, you might see something in your eye that doesn’t seem to be moving. This is called a floater. Floaters are often just bits of protein or cell debris that have broken loose inside the eye. They can look like spots, thread-like strands, or cobwebs. Most floaters are harmless and will eventually go away on their own.
But sometimes, floaters can be a sign of something more serious. If you suddenly start seeing lots of new floaters, or if the floaters are accompanied by flashes of light, it could be a sign of a detached retina. A detached retina is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if not treated. If you have sudden vision problems or floaters, call your doctor immediately.
Most of the time, it’s easy to diagnose a detached retina because the symptoms are so distinctive. But sometimes, it can be difficult even for an eye doctor like Dr. Christopher Quinn to tell whether someone has a detached retina. If there’s not enough damage to the retina, the doctor may order an ultrasound or MRI to get a better look.
If it is determined that you have a detached retina, surgery is usually needed to reattach the retina. This surgery can be done in a number of ways, depending on the severity of the detachment. Most often, a vitrectomy is performed. This is a surgery in which the vitreous humor is removed from the eye and replaced with a saline solution.
If you are diagnosed with a detached retina, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Left untreated, a detached retina can lead to blindness. But with early diagnosis and treatment, most people regain their vision completely. So if you start seeing any new floaters, or if you experience any sudden vision changes, don’t wait – call your doctor immediately.
If you have a detached retina, surgery is usually needed to reattach the retina. This surgery can be done in a number of ways, depending on the severity of the detachment. Most often, a vitrectomy is performed. This is a surgery in which the vitreous humor is removed from the eye and replaced with a saline solution.
If you are diagnosed with a detached retina, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Left untreated, a detached retina can lead to blindness. But with early diagnosis and treatment, most people regain their vision completely. So if you start seeing any new floaters, or if you experience any sudden vision changes, don’t wait – call your doctor immediately.
