Do floaters lead to blindness?

2 answers | Last updated: Dec 23, 2010
64px-hhf78e2acc60
Q
An anonymous caregiver asked...
Is there a way to prevent floaters? Will they go away? Or will blindness be the final outcome?
 

Caring.com User - Lylas Mogk, M.D.
Caring.com Expert
Send a Hug or Prayer
Send a Hug or Prayer
A
Lylas Mogk, M.D. is an ophthalmologist and director of the Henry Ford Visual Rehabilitation and Research Center in Grosse Pointe and Livonia, Michigan, and...
100% helpful

There is no way to prevent floaters and they won't go away; however, most people become less aware of them as time goes on. They are just little condensations in See also:
Eye Exams for Older Adults

See all 58 questions about Vision Problems
the gel that fills the hollow inside of your eyeball. They do not cause vision loss and they certainly do not cause blindness. The final outcome of floaters is that you just get used to them and consider them entertainment when you're daydreaming.

If, in addition to floaters, you have flashes of light, eye pain, a decrease in vision or if you suddenly see a huge number of floaters when the day before you only saw one or two, then see your ophthalmologist because those additional symptoms might suggest something more than just floaters.

Was this answer helpful?
 

More Answers
100% helpful
NaturalEyes said...

It's quite true that most floaters are completely harmless and nothing to worry about unless, as the doctor says above, they come on suddenly (this could be the sign of a detached retina or another health problem).

It is possible to prevent and treat floaters, however.

There may be treatment and prevention through proper diet and supplements. Certain nutrients such as those found in the classic Chinese formula "Rambling Powder" and Milk Thistle Extract may help alleviate floaters.

Consider your diet, lifestyle habits, and level of stress. Your eyes are the windows on the soul and the windows on your body - an eye problem can often indicate a problem with your overall health.

There is more information about eye floaters at this page: http://www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=6

Was this answer helpful?
 

 
Ask a question Ask a question | Add an answer Add an answer