Although most eye floaters can be chalked up to a normal part of the aging process and treatment for eye floaters is not always needed, some rare cases require targeted medical intervention. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Have your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once every two years or more often if you have certain medical conditions (like diabetes). [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Nearsighted people or those with previous eye injury or certain conditions such as diabetes are more likely to experience floaters, or to experience them more frequently. [9] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source You may have floaters for years, and they may fade in time. If you notice new ones, however, contact your ophthalmologist for an examination. [10] X Research source [11] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
Vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding between the lens and the retina) Vitreous and retinal inflammation (caused by infections or autoimmune inflammation) Eye tumors A tear in the retina (when numerous floaters suddenly appear)[13] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source A detached retina (when accompanied by blurry or clouded vision)
Risks associated with eye surgery include cataracts, retinal tears, and retinal detachment, so surgical treatment is only recommended in extreme cases. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Surgery may not be a permanent solution for floaters, since new ones can appear at any time.
A procedure known as vitrectomy removes the actual vitreous from the eye and replaces it with a saline solution, eliminating the eye floaters in the process. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Freezing therapy or laser therapy which super cools the eye, may be needed to correct retinal tears, and to reduce floaters. [18] X Research source [19] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
Try antioxidant-rich substances such as turmeric and rose hips. There is some evidence that these antioxidants are effective in treating macular degeneration, but not in directly reducing floaters. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source [21] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Rose hips are commonly available as an herbal tea, and turmeric as a spice. Consider hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid has been shown to be effective in helping eyes heal after cataract surgery. [22] X Research source Some use hyaluronic acid to treat floaters, although no established medical connection has yet been formed.
Try Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba has been proven effective in increasing ocular blood flow and is used by patients suffering from glaucoma. [23] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Try lysine. Lysine is a vasodilator, which means that it widens blood vessels, particular in large veins. Lysine has proven effective in widening blood vessels in some areas, but not necessarily in the eyes. [24] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Try bilberry. Bilberry is used both for improving eyesight and for widening blood vessels. More tests are needed to investigate the efficacy of bilberry in treating floaters.
