Eye floaters are visual phenomena many people notice—tiny spots, threads, or cobweb‑like shapes drifting across the field of vision, especially against bright backgrounds like a clear sky or white wall. They appear to move when your eyes move, and when you try to focus on them, they often slip away from view.

These floaters form when parts of the vitreous (the gel filling the inside of the eye) change over time. As we age, that gel can shrink or liquefy (a process called vitreous syneresis), and collagen strands or debris can clump together. Light passing through the eye casts shadows of these clumps onto the retina, which appears as floating shapes.  In many cases, floaters are harmless and people gradually adapt to them.

Alongside floaters, some individuals also see flashes of light—brief bursts or streaks that resemble lightning. These occur when the vitreous tugs on the retina, briefly stimulating it, and are often more noticeable in peripheral vision or in dim lighting.  In many cases, flashes are also benign, particularly when occurring sporadically.

However, sudden or dramatic changes warrant immediate medical attention. Key warning signs include a sudden increase in floaters, new or frequent flashes, a dark curtain or shadow moving over part of your vision, or blurring. These symptoms can point to serious conditions such as retinal tears or detachment, which require urgent care.

Diagnosis typically involves a dilated eye exam, where eye drops widen the pupil so an eye doctor can carefully inspect the retina, vitreous, and back of the eye for signs of tears, detachments, or other damage. Treatment depends on the cause. For most benign floaters, no intervention is needed—many do not significantly impair vision and may become less noticeable over months. In more severe or vision‑disrupting cases, options like vitrectomy surgery or laser therapy may be considered, though these carry risks and are typically reserved for select cases.