If your eyes feel dry and irritated and you notice tiny specks drifting across your vision. It’s natural to wonder if these two eye issues are connected.
While dry eyes don’t directly cause floaters, they can make existing floaters more noticeable by drawing your attention to disruptions in your vision.
At McCauley Celin Eyecare Associates, we frequently address patient concerns about floaters during comprehensive eye exams.
What Are Eye Floaters & How Do They Appear?
Eye floaters are small visual disturbances that drift across your field of vision. They can appear as different shapes and move with your eye movements. They occur when clumps form in the vitreous gel that fills your eye.
Common symptoms of floaters include:
- Small spots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes in your vision
- Spots that become more noticeable against bright backgrounds
- Spots that move or float away when you try to look directly at them
The Connection Between Dry Eyes & Floaters
Why Dry Eyes Don’t Directly Cause Floaters
Floaters form inside the vitreous gel that fills your eye, while dry eyes affect the tear film on your eye’s surface. These are two separate areas of your eye, and they each have different functions.
The vitreous gel can develop clumps or strands over time, casting shadows on your retina that appear as floaters. Your tear film, however, keeps the front surface of your eye moist and comfortable.
How Dry Eyes Can Make Floaters More Noticeable
Even though dry eyes don’t create floaters, they can make you more aware of existing ones. Here’s how these conditions can seem related:
- Eye irritation increases awareness of visual disturbances
- Dehydration can worsen both conditions simultaneously
Dry eyes and floaters can also have similar risk factors, including age, underlying inflammation, and underlying health conditions.
What Actually Causes Eye Floaters
Age-Related Changes in the Vitreous
Most floaters develop as part of the natural aging process. The vitreous gel in your eye becomes less firm over time and can form clumps or pull away from the retina.
This process typically begins in your 50s and 60s, though some people notice floaters earlier. These changes happen gradually and are usually harmless. Our adult eye exam services help monitor these age-related changes.
Other Common Causes
Several other factors can lead to floater development:
- Eye injuries
- Inflammation inside the eye
- Torn or detached retina
- Diabetic eye disease
When Floaters Signal Something More Serious
Warning Signs That Need Immediate Attention
While most floaters are harmless, certain symptoms require urgent care from your Pittsburgh optometrist. These warning signs can indicate serious eye conditions like retinal detachment:
- Sudden increase in floaters
- Flashes of light
- Loss of side vision
- Shadow or curtain across your field of view
Conditions That Require Urgent Care
A sudden onset of floaters with flashes of light can indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which can cause permanent vision loss without prompt treatment. If you experience these symptoms, contact our emergency eye care team immediately.
How Your Wexford Eye Doctor Can Help
Comprehensive Eye Exams for Floaters
During your eye exam, we use a range of diagnostic tools to examine both your retina and vitreous gel. This thorough evaluation helps us distinguish between harmless age-related floaters and more serious conditions.
Treatment Options Available
Your treatment plan depends on what’s causing your floaters and whether they’re affecting your daily activities. This involves:
- Monitoring approach for harmless floaters
- Treatment for underlying dry eye conditions
- Referral for specialized care when needed
Managing Both Dry Eyes & Floaters
Dry Eye Treatment That May Help
While treating dry eyes won’t eliminate floaters, it can make floaters less noticeable. Our dry eye therapy options include in-office treatments like OptiLight IPL therapy that can help improve your overall comfort.
If you want to start by trying to manage dry eye at home, we suggest:
- Preservative-free artificial tears
- Warm compresses for blocked tear ducts
- Humidifiers during winter months
Simple daily habits can help maintain healthy eyes and may reduce your awareness of minor floaters. We recommend the following:
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Take regular breaks from screens
- Protect your eyes from UV light
Protect Your Vision
If you’re experiencing new floaters or have concerns about changes in your vision, McCauley Celin Eyecare Associates is here to help. We serve families throughout Wexford, Perrysville, and Gibsonia with personalized care that goes above and beyond. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and get the answers you need about your eye health.
