Floaters before the eyes are floating spots of various shapes and sizes (dashes, lines, nets, cobwebs), which are clearly visible when looking at light-colored objects or a bright background. They are especially visible against the background of the sky, a white wall or snow.
Such floaters can appear in front of one or both eyes at the same time; occur periodically or be constant companions. Their distinctive feature is their floating nature. The flies seem to float following the movement of the eyes. When looking from object to object, they continuously repeat the same trajectory, only slightly delayed.
In most cases, the appearance of floaters before the eyes is not accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. But sometimes this phenomenon can be associated with a headache, flashes before the eyes or decreased vision.
Causes
The most common cause of floaters before the eyes is pathological changes in the vitreous body. The vitreous humor is the whitish-colorless substance inside the eye. It has a gel-like consistency and is located between the lens of the eye and the retina. In youth, the vitreous body is absolutely transparent, but with age (by the age of 45-50), small opacities appear in it, which appear as flying dots or floaters before the eyes.
Among the factors that provoke the appearance of flying spots before the eyes, experts identify the following:
Destruction of the vitreous body . Physiological aging of the vitreous body together with the body leads to destructive changes in it. In this case, some of the cells become cloudy and gather into clumps, visible to a person when streams of light enter the eye.
Eye injuries . Serious eye injuries may be accompanied by intraocular bleeding, which causes blood to enter the vitreous. It causes a violation of the transparency of the vitreous body. In this case, a person sees black or brown spots in front of his eyes and feels a significant decrease in visual acuity.
Inflammatory processes of the eyes. In some cases, inflammatory processes in the eye media also lead to clouding of the vitreous, which causes floaters to appear before the eyes.
Additionally, eye floaters can be a result of high myopia, changes caused by diabetic retinopathy, tumors inside the eye, and migraines or ocular migraines.
If floaters suddenly appear before your eyes due to a head or eye injury and at the same time pain appears in the eye, it turns red and your vision becomes worse, you should immediately seek emergency medical help.
What causes glare?
Glare occurs as a result of movement or tension of the retinal nerve cells. As the vitreous shrinks over time, it can pull on the retina, causing you to “see stars” or flashes of light. The process of separation of the vitreous from the retina is called “posterior vitreous detachment.” This is not a health hazard.
In about 16% of cases, the detachment process creates tiny tears in the retina, which can lead to retinal detachment. This is already a dangerous condition; if it is not treated, blindness is possible.
Other possible reasons why you are seeing strange flashes are an eye injury or a migraine.
Treatment
Treatment for eye floaters may not always be necessary, depending on the cause of the problem. So, if the appearance of floaters is caused by destruction of the vitreous body, and they practically do not interfere with vision, therefore no specific treatment is carried out.
Identification of severe opacities in the vitreous body, which cause a decrease in the quality of vision, may be an indication for vitrectomy. During the intervention, part of the vitreous with opacities is removed and replaced with a clear, sterile liquid.
If the opacities are not large, but, in the patient’s opinion, interfere with normal vision, laser vitreolysis may be recommended. This is a modern, safe method that allows you to get rid of opacities in the vitreous body using a laser. Using directed laser radiation, the surgeon destroys large clots in the vitreous body. They become smaller and cease to be visible.
Diagnostics
During the initial examination by an ophthalmologist, it is necessary to establish under what circumstances symptoms appear (bright lighting, work at close range, at the height of a hypertensive crisis) and when they disappear. It is important to clarify the duration of the process. Basic diagnostic methods:
- Visometry.
Vitreous opacities of small size and peripheral localization do not affect visual acuity. With a pronounced degree of impairment, visual dysfunction can be observed. - Biomicroscopy of the eye.
With asteroid hyalosis, a large number of small yellowish or yellowish-white shiny formations are observed in the projection of the light beam. The effect of reflection is characteristic. However, the technique does not allow assessment of peripheral structures. - Ultrasound of the eye.
In gray scale B-mode, individuals with asteroid hyalosis show multiple small discrete echogenic inclusions with varying acoustic density. In A-mode, repeating high-amplitude complexes are recorded in the projection of the entire anechoic space of the vitreous cavity. - Spectral optical coherence tomography ( SD - OCT )
. OCT makes it possible to clearly visualize vitreal lesions located preretinal. With more anterior localization, they are indirectly detected as darkening of the OCT image. - Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy
. Depending on the density of the opacities, they look like white-gray shadows or penumbra. Using a series of photographs, you can estimate the size and approximate density. A Weiss ring is often detected in the fundus. - Dynamic Light Scattering ( DLS )
. The laser nanodetector system is used to image particles ranging in size from 3 nanometers to 3 microns. An ophthalmologist can evaluate collagen fiber aggregation in myopic or diabetic vitreopathy. - Determination of contrast sensitivity
. In the presence of primary compactions in the vitreous body, contrast sensitivity (CS) decreases. This increases the degree of light scattering. Studies are carried out before and after surgery. Asteroid hyalosis does not affect CP indicators.
Ophthalmological examination
Prevention
There are no specific methods for preventing the appearance of floaters before the eyes. However, the following tips can help avoid their early occurrence and delay the aging of the vitreous body for a long time. So it follows:
- Undergo regular examinations with an ophthalmologist, especially for people over 40 years of age.
- Lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Take eye vitamins.
- Avoid eye and head injuries.
True, if trouble has already happened and floaters in front of your eyes have become a constant companion to your vision, you should not:
- Try to get rid of them with improvised means and self-medicate.
- Remain in a bent position for a long time with your head tilted down.
- Lift weights.
It must be remembered that the appearance of floaters in front of the eyes is absolutely safe only when the vitreous body is destroyed due to age-related changes. All other cases require mandatory medical care from an ophthalmologist or other medical specialists. To exclude diseases and conditions that are dangerous to humans, if floaters appear before your eyes, it is better to immediately consult an ophthalmologist.
Patients of our clinic have the opportunity to undergo a full diagnostic examination and receive advice from experienced specialists without tiring queues, at a time convenient for them. If necessary, the clinic will provide emergency care or prescribe adequate treatment in accordance with international standards for the provision of medical services.
Causes of flies flashing before the eyes
Destruction of the vitreous body
With age, collagen and hyaluronic acid dissociate, leading to fibril aggregation. The resulting fibers cause light to scatter. Due to the liquefaction of the vitreous body, lacunae are formed, which disrupt the process of refraction of light rays. Patients with destruction of the vitreous body indicate the flickering of floaters before the eyes, the floating of “web-like” dark threads or translucent “glass” rods.
Detachment of the posterior hyaloid membrane
The cortex is the densest structure of the vitreous body, lying preretinal. Due to vitreal collapse, it moves anteriorly and separates from the retina. Patients with cervical tumor detachment notice the sudden appearance of spots before their eyes. The passage of photons through the Weiss ring (peripapillary glial tissue) leads to a shadow falling on the retina, which patients describe as a dark circle.
Hemophthalmos
Bleeding can be provoked by tractional retinal detachment or cervical retina with vascular damage, trauma, or rupture of newly formed vessels in diabetic retinopathy. Blood clots not only disrupt the transparency of optical media, but also contribute to secondary destruction. The severity of visual dysfunction in hemophthalmos depends on the volume of hemorrhage. As the blood is absorbed, vision is restored, but the flickering of spots before the eyes persists.
Floaters before eyes
Asteroid hyalosis
The etiology of asteroid hyalosis remains not fully understood. It is known that with this disorder, multiple punctate deposits of phospholipids and calcium form inside the eye. In most cases there are no symptoms, which indicates a benign course. Often the only manifestation of the disease is the flickering of flies before the eyes.
Inflammatory diseases
Inflammatory pathologies such as vitreitis, endophthalmitis and uveitis, regardless of etiology, lead to an increase in the amount of proinflammatory cytokines in the vitreal cavity. The resulting cellular aggregates and secondary destructive changes cause the development of complaints about the flickering of flies.
Postoperative complications
Remaining bubbles of silicone oil or perfluorocarbon after vitreoretinal interventions provoke the appearance of floaters before the eyes. Similar symptoms can be observed after intravitreal injections. The introduction of inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) can promote the formation of complexes with macromolecules of the vitreous body and change its structure.
Myopia
High axial myopia leads to the development of myopic vitreopathy. Patients report that the opacities range from small dots, linear beaded patterns, to “spider-like” objects. There is a tendency for them to increase in size over time. When you move your eyes and head, or stay in a room with bright lighting, they become more noticeable.
Cardiovascular pathologies
Maintaining normal blood pressure in the body is ensured by the tone of blood vessels. If blood pressure readings are below 100/60 or above 140/90 mm. rt. Art. the tone of the intraocular vessels changes. Flashing flies before the eyes is characteristic of the following diseases:
- Arterial hypotension.
A drop in blood pressure is manifested by dizziness, a transient decrease in visual acuity, and the appearance of spots or fog before the eyes. Patients note increased fatigue and drowsiness. Normalization of blood pressure helps to improve the general condition. Common causes of hypotension: dehydration, blood loss (Mallory-Weiss syndrome, hemothorax, gastrointestinal bleeding). - Hypertonic disease.
Against the background of increased blood pressure, patients develop complaints of headache, tinnitus, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and “floaters” before the eyes. Taking antihypertensive drugs eliminates clinical symptoms. - Hypertensive crisis.
An increase in blood pressure to critical values provokes the flickering of flies before the eyes. Violation of cerebral hemodynamics leads to neurovegetative disorders, which are manifested by headache, tinnitus, transient visual dysfunction, and increased sweating.
Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system
Diseases of the cervical spine often lead to increased blood pressure, as well as hypoxia of the membranes of the eyeball. These changes potentiate a transient decrease in visual acuity, headache, and dizziness. Flashing flies before your eyes may be a sign of:
- Cervical spondyloarthrosis.
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral joints are accompanied by impaired circulation in the system of the basilar and carotid arteries. The disease develops after 40 years. Characterized by a gradual onset. - Kimerli anomalies.
With this pathology, an abnormal bone ring is formed around the vertebral artery. This limits the mobility of the craniovertebral joint and the artery itself. A related symptom is impaired eye movements.
Iron-deficiency anemia
With anemic syndrome, the concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocytes is reduced. In this case, the blood cannot provide sufficient oxygen saturation to the tissues. One of the early signs of iron deficiency anemia is floating floaters in the field of vision. There are complaints of pale skin and mucous membranes, general weakness, and hair loss.
Other reasons
- Deficiency of vitamins and...
- Poisoning with methyl alcohol and alcohol substitutes.
- Mountain sickness.
How are eye floaters treated?
Eye floaters usually do not require treatment if they appear randomly and very rarely. If they annoy you, remove them from your sight. To do this, move your eyes up and down and from right to left. Such movements trigger the flow of intraocular fluid, and the floaters move along with it.
If floaters interfere with vision, you will need surgery to remove the vitreous humor - vitrectomy. The destroyed vitreous is removed and replaced with a saline solution. The operation has side effects: retinal detachment and rupture, cataracts. However, the likelihood of complications is minimal, and the result of the operation will give you good vision without clouding.
Treatment of vitreous destruction
There are no effective conservative treatments for this condition. Today, only the relationship between the general health of the body and its individual organs, including the organ of vision, has been studied. To reduce the severity of interference in the visual field, experts recommend treatment of systemic diseases present in the body, normalization of lifestyle, streamlining of nutrition, giving up bad habits, and physical activity.
Among the surgical methods for eliminating pathology, experts call the procedure of influencing interference floating in the field of view with a laser. The laser beam breaks them into smaller fragments, which do not interfere with vision in the future. True, such an operation is not yet widespread due to the technical difficulties of performing it. In addition, before using any method of influencing the eye, the doctor first assesses the benefits and possible risks of the intervention.
Another surgical treatment method is vitrectomy. Such operations are considered serious surgical interventions. After all, floaters that interfere with vision are removed along with the vitreous body. Vitrectomy is used only in exceptional cases, as it can have serious consequences, more significant than floaters.
The doctors at our clinic have sufficient experience in treating pathologies of the vitreous body, including vitreal destruction. In the absence of a threatening condition for the patient, he will be recommended conservative therapy, which will help reduce the severity of visual interference.
In addition, thanks to the excellent technical equipment of the center, patients can be offered laser removal of flying flies. In case of retinal detachment or retinal tears, surgical treatment of the pathology will be performed. To do this, we have all the necessary equipment from the world's best manufacturers, and specialists undergo regular training in the most prestigious domestic ophthalmological clinics and abroad.
Why do flies fly before my eyes?
Details Author: LDC Neuron Published: November 10, 2015
Everyone has probably encountered such a phenomenon as dark or bright flashing spots before their eyes? Which occur during rapid movements, after a sleepless night, overexertion, overwork, after a hard day, and sometimes simply for no reason.
But there is always a reason and it needs to be established in order to remove serious pathologies with blood vessels or eyes. More often this problem is encountered in adulthood. Sometimes even vision may not decrease, but the spots become more and more numerous.
Why do flies fly before my eyes? Let's try to figure it out today.
Types of DST
| Type of DST | What's happening | How is it perceived by the patient? |
| Filamentous destruction | Compaction and subsequent gluing of collagen fibers | First - flies in the form of straight or curly threads, cobwebs, grayish-white stripes. Later - a characteristic pattern: the threads intersect with each other, forming loops. |
| Granular destruction | Formation of clusters of lymphocytes and pigment cells. Penetration of hyalocytes into the vitreous body. | Floating rings, dots. |
| DST with crystalline inclusions | Crystal formation (the process is not fully understood) | Bright silver or golden flashes, flickering |
In addition, during vitreous detachment, “special effects” in the form of lightning can be observed.
Vitreous body and its destruction
Normally, the main component of the vitreous body is a gel-like substance containing almost 99.7% water. In addition, it has a fibrillar collagen skeleton, along with ordinary amino acids, containing the hydrophilic adhesive substances vitrosin and mucin. The viscosity of the vitreous body is imparted by hyaluronic acid associated with mucoproteins, which plays a major role in maintaining the necessary turgor of the eye.
The optical function and transparency of the vitreous body is ensured by the constancy of its chemical composition. True, under the influence of various factors, various changes occur in the vitreal substance, leading to disturbances in composition and volume. The order of the fibrils is lost, they break into particles. As a result, optically opaque fragments appear that delay the light beam, whose shadows fall on the retina. And the closer their location is to the retina, the clearer and brighter their shadows. The ability to see such interference in the field of view is directly related to the amount of light entering the eye. The brighter the light, the narrower the pupil. This leads to less scattering of the light beam, and the chance of seeing flies in front of your eyes increases.
True, there are phenomena that occur in a completely healthy eye that are mistakenly attributed to pathology. One of them is the entopic phenomenon of blue sky, which is explained by the movement of blood in the vessels of the retina. It looks like moving white dots that can be distinguished by looking at the sky on a cloudless, clear day. These points are nothing more than leukocytes of blood moving through the vessels, transmitting the sun's rays. Following them, red blood cells move along the vascular bed and block the sun's rays. Therefore, everything is perceived as a chain of moving points.
