What floaters are
Floaters are shadows. Inside your eye is a clear gel called the vitreous, which fills the space between the lens and the retina. Over time - and especially after age 40 - the vitreous becomes more liquid and develops clumps of collagen fibres. These clumps cast tiny shadows onto the retina, which you see as spots, threads, cobwebs, or shapes drifting across your field of vision.
They are most noticeable against bright or uniform backgrounds - a white wall, a blue sky, a lit screen - and they move when you move your eyes. If you try to look directly at one, it drifts away.
Most floaters are harmless.
When floaters are not harmless
A sudden change in floaters is what matters. The pattern that needs urgent assessment is:
- A sudden shower of new floaters - many more than usual, appearing over minutes to hours
- Flashes of light - brief streaks or arcs, usually in your peripheral vision, often more noticeable in dim lighting
- A shadow or curtain - a dark area spreading across part of your visual field from one side
This pattern can indicate a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) that has caused a retinal tear. A PVD happens when the vitreous gel separates from the retinal surface - this is a normal event that happens to most people, usually after age 50 and earlier in people with high myopia. In most cases, the vitreous separates cleanly and the result is just some new floaters. But in a small percentage of cases, the vitreous tugs on the retina as it separates and tears it.
A retinal tear caught early can usually be sealed with laser treatment. A tear that progresses to a retinal detachment - where fluid gets behind the retina and lifts it away from the wall of the eye - typically requires surgery and carries a risk of permanent vision loss.
The window matters. The time between a retinal tear and a detachment can be hours to days. This is why we take new-onset floaters with flashes seriously and try to see patients the same day.
What happens when you come in
If you call us about new floaters or flashes, we will perform a dilated retinal exam. This involves:
- Dilating drops - we use drops to widen your pupils so we can see the full peripheral retina, not just the central area
- Retinal examination - using a specialized lens and light source, we examine the entire retinal surface, looking for tears, holes, detachment, haemorrhage, or areas of vitreous traction
- Retinal imaging - a high-resolution photograph of the retina that documents what we see and provides a baseline for comparison
- OCT scan - a cross-sectional scan of the retinal layers that can reveal fluid, traction, or structural changes not visible on surface examination
After the exam, we will show you the images and explain what we found. In most cases, the retina is intact and the floaters are from a benign vitreous change. In that case, you go home with a clear answer and a documented baseline.
If we find a tear or suspicious area, we refer urgently to a retinal specialist - usually the same day.
Note: your vision will be blurry for a few hours after dilation. Bring sunglasses and arrange not to drive if possible.
Why imaging and OCT matter for floaters
A single exam can tell you whether your retina is intact right now. But retinal conditions develop over time, and having baseline images to compare against is what makes future exams more powerful.
Retinal photos show the surface of the retina - the blood vessels, optic nerve, macula, and peripheral retina. OCT shows the layers beneath the surface, including fluid or structural changes that are not visible on a photo.
When we have your images from a previous visit, we can compare year over year and detect:
- New areas of vitreous traction that may not yet be causing symptoms
- Subtle changes in retinal thickness that could indicate early disease
- Progression or stability of findings that are being monitored
This is especially valuable for patients at higher risk: those with high myopia, diabetes, a family history of retinal detachment, or a previous PVD in one eye (the other eye often follows within a few years).
At Spadina Optometry, retinal imaging and OCT are a common part of our comprehensive exam. When we have images on file, we compare them visit to visit. For patients with floaters, this year-over-year tracking is one of the most effective tools we have for catching problems early - before they cause symptoms.
Who is at higher risk
Some people are more likely to develop floaters earlier or to have floaters that signal a problem:
- Age over 50 - PVD becomes increasingly common
- High myopia (above -4.00 to -5.00) - the longer eye shape causes vitreous changes earlier and increases retinal tear risk
- Previous eye surgery - cataract surgery, LASIK, or vitrectomy can accelerate vitreous changes
- Previous PVD in one eye - the other eye often follows within a few years
- Diabetes - floaters can result from vitreous haemorrhage related to diabetic retinopathy
- Eye injury or inflammation - trauma or uveitis can cause floaters at any age
If you fall into any of these groups, mention it at your exam so we can adjust monitoring accordingly.
Can floaters be treated?
Most floaters do not need treatment. The brain adapts over weeks to months, and most people find that floaters that were distracting at first become much less noticeable.
For floaters that are persistent and significantly affect daily vision or quality of life, treatment options exist but are typically reserved for severe cases:
- Laser vitreolysis (YAG laser) - a laser is used to break up large floaters. Not suitable for all types or locations of floaters.
- Vitrectomy - surgical removal of the vitreous gel. Effective but carries surgical risks and is reserved for cases where floaters cause substantial functional impairment.
These are specialist procedures and not first-line treatments. For most patients, the right approach is reassurance, a confirmed baseline, and regular monitoring.
When to call us
Call the same day if you have:
- A sudden increase in the number of floaters
- Flashes of light, especially in your peripheral vision
- A shadow or curtain across part of your vision
- Any sudden change in vision
Book a routine exam if you have:
- Floaters that have been stable for a while but have never been assessed
- A history of high myopia and no recent dilated exam
- Anxiety about floaters and want a clear answer and a documented baseline
At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we see urgent floater and flash patients and can usually fit you in the same day. Call us at 416-703-2797.
Related
- Urgent eye problems - optometrist vs ER - when to call, when to go to emergency
- Retinal imaging, OCT, and eye health - what imaging shows and why it matters over time
- How often should you get an eye exam? - monitoring schedules based on risk
- Eye exams for diabetes and high blood pressure - diabetic retinopathy and floaters
Common questions
- Should I worry about eye floaters?
- Most floaters are harmless. They are caused by age-related changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. As the vitreous becomes more liquid over time, tiny clumps of collagen fibres cast shadows on the retina that you see as spots, threads, or cobweb shapes drifting across your vision. These become more common after age 40 and are especially noticeable against bright or plain backgrounds. However, a sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain in your peripheral vision can indicate a retinal tear or detachment and requires same-day assessment. If you are unsure whether your floaters are new or have changed, an eye exam with retinal imaging can establish a baseline and give you a clear answer.
- When are eye floaters an emergency?
- Floaters are urgent when they appear suddenly and in large numbers, especially if accompanied by flashes of light in your peripheral vision, a shadow or dark curtain spreading across part of your visual field, or a sudden decrease in vision. This pattern can indicate a posterior vitreous detachment that has caused a retinal tear, which can progress to a retinal detachment if not treated quickly. A retinal tear caught early can often be sealed with laser treatment by a retinal specialist, without surgery. A retinal detachment that has progressed typically requires surgery. If you experience these symptoms, call your optometrist the same day or go to an emergency department if the clinic is closed.
- What causes eye floaters?
- Most floaters are caused by age-related changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye. Over time, the vitreous shrinks and becomes more liquid, forming clumps of collagen fibres that cast shadows on the retina. A posterior vitreous detachment, where the vitreous separates from the retinal surface, is a common event after age 50 and often causes a sudden increase in floaters. Other causes include inflammation inside the eye, bleeding from diabetic retinal disease or a retinal tear, and high myopia, which accelerates vitreous changes. At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we use dilated retinal exams, retinal imaging, and OCT to determine the cause and rule out anything serious.
- Can floaters go away on their own?
- Floaters caused by vitreous changes do not disappear entirely, but most become less noticeable over weeks to months as the brain learns to filter them out and as the debris settles lower in the eye. New floaters tend to be most bothersome in the first few weeks. If floaters persist and significantly affect your daily vision, discuss this at your next eye exam - there are treatment options, though they are typically reserved for severe cases.
- What is a posterior vitreous detachment?
- A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) occurs when the vitreous gel separates from the retinal surface at the back of the eye. This is a normal age-related event that happens to most people, typically after age 50 and earlier in people with high myopia. A PVD usually causes a sudden increase in floaters and may cause flashes of light, especially in peripheral vision. In most cases a PVD is harmless, but in a small percentage of cases the vitreous pulls on the retina as it separates and causes a retinal tear. This is why new-onset floaters with flashes should be assessed promptly - a dilated exam can confirm whether the retina is intact.
- Do floaters mean I have a retinal detachment?
- Not usually. The vast majority of floaters are benign and related to normal vitreous changes. However, a sudden onset of many new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow in your peripheral vision can be a warning sign of a retinal tear that could lead to a detachment. A retinal detachment itself typically causes a curtain-like shadow spreading across part of your visual field. The only way to tell the difference is a dilated retinal examination. If you are unsure, it is always better to get checked - the exam is straightforward and the peace of mind is worth it.
- How does an optometrist check for retinal problems when you have floaters?
- The optometrist performs a dilated retinal exam, using drops to widen your pupils so the full peripheral retina can be examined with a specialized lens. This allows direct visualization of the retinal surface, vitreous, and any areas of traction or tearing. Retinal imaging and OCT are often used alongside the dilated exam to document the current state of the retina and provide a baseline for future comparison. At Spadina Optometry in downtown Toronto, we use retinal photos and OCT to track changes over time - year-over-year comparison is one of the most effective tools for detecting subtle retinal changes before they cause symptoms.
- Are floaters more common if you are nearsighted?
- Yes. People with moderate to high myopia (typically above minus 4 or minus 5 dioptres) tend to develop floaters earlier and more frequently than people without myopia. Myopic eyes are longer than average, which means the vitreous gel is stretched and undergoes liquefaction and posterior vitreous detachment at a younger age. High myopia also increases the risk of retinal tears and detachment, which is why regular retinal monitoring with imaging and OCT is particularly important for myopic patients.
Urgent eye problems
We assess urgent eye problems in the office, treat what falls within optometric scope, and refer to ophthalmology when a specialist is needed. We keep time available for urgent problems where we can.
Call us at 416-703-2797 and describe what is happening. Staff can tell you whether to come here or go straight to an emergency department.
New floaters or flashes?
If you have noticed a sudden change, call us. We can usually see you the same day for a dilated retinal assessment.
Prefer to talk first? Call or text us at 416-703-2797.
Spadina Optometry has cared for downtown Toronto patients since 2002 — an independent practice where the same team knows your eyes year after year.
Last reviewed: August 21, 2026