Eye floaters

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most eye floaters require no treatment. If your eye floaters are so numerous that they significantly interfere with your vision, your doctor might suggest a surgical procedure that uses a hollow needle to withdraw the vitreous from your eye. The vitreous is replaced with a saltwater solution. However, this procedure can cause retinal detachment and cataract, and it may not remove all floaters.

DS01036

Dec. 18, 2007

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger