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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEye floaters look like black or gray specks, strings or cobwebs that drift about when you move your eyes. Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes becomes more liquid.
When this happens, microscopic fibers within the vitreous tend to clump together. These clumps of debris float around within the vitreous cavity, and they can cast tiny shadows on your retina, which you may see as floaters.
Eye floaters are most noticeable when you look at a plain bright background such as a blue sky or a plain white wall. They can be a nuisance, but most people learn to ignore them.
If you notice a sudden increase in the number of eye floaters you see, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see flashes of light or notice that your vision has become hazy. These can be symptoms of a retinal tear or a retinal detachment, which requires prompt attention.
Symptoms
