User:Mr. Ibrahem/Floater
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Floaters are small dark spots or lines that slowly move across a person's vision.[1] They generally come and go and move with a person's eye.[1] They may become more noticeable when looking at a light colored surface.[1] Other symptoms that occur depend on the underlying cause.[2] Symptoms generally improve within 3 months.[4]
Floaters | |
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Other names | Eye floaters, vitreous floaters, myodesopsia, myodaeopsia, myiodeopsia, myiodesopsia, muscae volitantes, mouches volantes |
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Simulated image of separated, unclumped floaters against a blue sky | |
Specialty | Ophthalmology |
Symptoms | Spots or lines that move across a person's vision[1] |
Causes | Unknown, eye infection, injury, uveitis, vitreous detachment, retinal detachment[1][2] |
Risk factors | Nearsighted, diabetes, and cataract surgery.[1] |
Diagnostic method | Dilated eye exam[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Migraine aura[3] |
Treatment | Based on the underlying cause, often none[1] |
Prognosis | Generally good[4] |
Frequency | Common[1] |
In most causes the cause is shrinkage of the vitreous due to an unknown reason, a posterior vitreous detachment.[2][4] Risk factors include being nearsighted, diabetes, and cataract surgery.[1] Other causes may include eye infection, injury, uveitis, vitreous detachment, or retinal detachment.[1] Diagnosis is by a dilated eye exam.[1]
Treatment depends on the cause; though in many causes nothing specific is required.[1] Occasionally in severe cases a type of surgery known as a vitrectomy may be suggested.[1] Repeated exams may be carried out to rule out a retinal tear or vitreous bleed.[4] Most people are affected at some point in time.[1] They become more common with age.[1]