The appearance of “floaters” and “cobwebs” before the eyes is a common ophthalmological syndrome characteristic of many diseases. Most often, the anomaly is encountered by elderly people, but young people are not protected from this phenomenon. The pathology does not affect visual acuity, but causes discomfort. After all, the patient sees surrounding objects as if through a dirty prism. Floaters in the eyes are not life-threatening, but contacting an ophthalmologist is still necessary to find out the cause of the unpleasant symptoms.
Floaters before the eyes: what are they?
From a medical point of view, the “cobwebs” that appear in front of the organ of vision are polymorphic opacities located in the visual zone. They may vary in shape, size and color. Cloudiness can look like white threads, rings or dots. The easiest way to spot floaters is to look at the sky or other light background.
The anomaly may appear once or be pathological in nature. Usually patients do not pay attention to such deviations. A visit to the doctor occurs if the duration of the outbreaks increases and the number of points increases. However, you should not put off visiting the clinic until the last minute, because the sooner the cause of the anomaly is identified, the easier it is to treat.
Why do flies appear?
Floaters that periodically appear before the eyes can have different shapes, appearances and colors. They appear due to the destruction of vitreous glass. It consists of water and special protein substances that have a gel-like consistency. Under the influence of certain factors, it begins to disintegrate into particles. It is they who merge with each other and form clumps, which appear as black dots, spots and a veil. In medicine, this condition is called destruction and can occur for several reasons:
- Violation of the integrity of the vessel in the eye.
- Eye injury.
- Retinal detachment.
Destruction is also diagnosed in elderly patients, since over time the structures of the eye, like other organs, wear out.
Reasons for the appearance of floaters before the eyes
Many people know what blackheads look like, but rarely can anyone explain why they occur. Moreover, most people who are faced with a similar problem attribute this phenomenon to lack of sleep or fatigue. However, “floaters” may indicate the development of serious pathologies.
Eye diseases
The main reason for the appearance of blackheads in young and generally healthy people is destructive processes in the vitreous body. Normally, this element of the organ of vision is a gel-like consistency, which contains water, hyaluronic acid and collagen. The vitreous fills the space between the lens and the retina.
Over time, the chemical composition of the element changes under the influence of irritating environmental factors. Long chains of vitreous components break down into microscopic particles. It is them that the human visual organ perceives as flies.
| Such destructive processes most often manifest themselves in adulthood, but young people are not protected from them either. The risk group includes patients suffering from myopia. |
Also, the cause of blackheads may be hidden in the development of a number of diseases:
- Retinal detachment;
- Hemorrhage into the organ of vision;
- Eye damage;
- Posterior vitreous detachment;
- Peripheral retinal dystrophy;
- Uveitis.
The greatest danger lies in retinal detachment, since this process can lead to the development of blindness. The disease can be recognized by a sudden influx of “flies” and the appearance of light flashes before the eyes. In this case, you must immediately consult a doctor. Return to contents
Vascular diseases
The reason for the appearance of blackheads is not always hidden in eye pathologies. They often occur when blood pressure fluctuates. If it increases or decreases, then there is a disruption in the blood supply to all internal organs, including the eyes. As a result, “cobwebs” and “flies” appear.
| With a sharp spasm of blood vessels, accompanied by increased pressure, the risk of rupture of capillaries in the organ of vision increases. This can also cause blackheads to appear. If the spasm is damaged in one eye, then “floaters” will appear only in that eye. |
People suffering from diabetes often experience similar symptoms. This pathology affects the vascular system of the retina, and retinopathy develops at the same time. The vessels become very fragile and are easily damaged. Blood clots in the organ of vision cause the appearance of “cobwebs” and a decrease in eye sharpness.
Brain diseases
Black dots may signal the development of a neurological abnormality. An illness such as migraine is accompanied by unbearable and lingering pain in one side of the head. Before an attack, characteristic symptoms appear: “floaters”, bright flashes, blurred vision, the appearance of hallucinations and speech impairment.
Traumatic brain injury can lead to neurological diseases. In the process of receiving damage, many victims noted that at that moment they saw sparks and black dots before their eyes. The following signs also appear with a head injury:
- Fainting;
- Strong pain;
- Dizziness;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Memory loss;
- Cramps.
| The cause of floaters may be hidden in the formation of a tumor in the occipital part of the brain. There is nothing strange in this, because it is she who is responsible for processing visual information and optical perception. |
Therefore, a tumor in the occipital lobe is accompanied by the appearance of black dots, “lightning bolts”, stars, etc. As the pathology develops, visual deviations become pronounced. Problems with color perception begin and scotomas form. However, you should not immediately panic when flies appear and diagnose yourself with a “tumor.” This pathology is very rare, and you may simply not have gotten enough sleep.
At-risk groups
With osteochondrosis, floaters before the eyes most often appear in older patients, since, in addition to impaired nutrition of the eye, they also experience age-related changes in the retina and vitreous body.
Most often, eye floaters occur in old age.
Myopic people and those suffering from inflammatory eye diseases are also at risk. The combination of these pathologies with osteochondrosis often provokes the appearance of floaters.
Other causes of floaters
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can also cause black spots before the eyes. As the disease develops, compression of the artery responsible for the blood supply to the brain and visual apparatus occurs. In addition, the anomaly is accompanied by headache, tinnitus and crunching in the neck.
Floaters before the eyes are constant companions of anemia. A drop in hemoglobin levels in the blood is also observed with heavy bleeding. Therefore, the appearance of black spots, weakness and fainting should be a serious reason to visit the clinic.
Arterial hypertension
Not all people experience high blood pressure. And visual disturbances are sometimes the only manifestation of hypertension.
How vision is impaired: with a sharp rise in blood pressure, the vision may become dark, spots appear before the eyes, and a sensation of light flashes.
Article on the topic I see - I don’t see. Where does the “veil” come from before your eyes?
What to do: measure blood pressure with a tonometer, which normally should not exceed 140/90 mm Hg. Art., and if it regularly increases, consult a doctor (general practitioner or cardiologist).
In what cases should you consult a doctor?
Be sure to visit an ophthalmologist in the following situations:
- As the level of illumination in a room increases, “cobwebs” appear;
- The number of points that interfere with normal visibility is constantly increasing;
- The patient's medical history includes progressive myopia;
- Starting from the age of fifty, “floaters” appear more and more often;
- The dots appeared after suffering a trauma to the visual apparatus.
You should also consult a doctor if a whole swarm of flies appears at the same time and does not disappear for a long time. This darkens some part of the visual field. Return to contents
Treatment
“Floaters” and “cobwebs” before the eyes are not pathological processes, so therapy should be aimed at combating the underlying disease, which the doctor will identify after a detailed examination.
However, if the ophthalmologist claims that everything is fine with the visual apparatus, but the problem persists, it is necessary to visit other doctors (therapist, neurologist and endocrine system specialist).
Drug therapy
There are no medications as such that will help get rid of floaters. Because this is not a disease, but a separate symptomatology characteristic of many ailments. Medicines to combat blackheads are prescribed only if the root cause of their appearance relates to the field of ophthalmology. Most often, doctors prescribe Wobenzym tablets or Emoxipin (eye drops 1% solution).
This group of medications normalizes metabolism, due to which blood flow in the vitreous body is stabilized and floaters disappear. Wobenzym should be taken three times a day, five tablets. The course of therapy ranges from two to four weeks. "Emoxipin" is instilled three times a day, a drop in each eye for a month.
Doctors also recommend drinking a vitamin-mineral complex containing lutein.
Surgical correction
If the cause of the appearance of “cobwebs” is hidden in the destructive processes occurring in the vitreous body, surgery may be performed.
Vitrectomy is prescribed to partially remove the contents of the CT; instead, an identical amount of saline solution is injected. Despite the fact that modern medicine uses unique equipment and innovative technologies, the risk of complications remains with any surgical intervention. After vitrectomy, it is possible to develop cataracts, retinal detachment, or hemorrhage into the organ of vision.
| Vitreolysis is considered a safer procedure. During this process, a laser beam is directed at opaque microparticles, which cause a “spider web” effect. The device crushes them into tiny elements that are unable to cause optical discomfort. |
Eye exercises
If there are no indications for drug treatment, and there are no pathologies in the vitreous body, and the reason for the appearance of “floaters” lies in the weak tone of the eye muscles, then it is worth trying to perform special gymnastics for a certain time.
Sit on a chair with your back straight and look forward. At the same time, the head remains motionless, then look sharply all the way to the left side and then to the right. Then look up and down. According to the theory, such an exercise helps to evenly distribute the intraocular fluid. In this case, the “front sights” do not disappear, but disappear from view.
Gymnastics must be performed several times during the day whenever black spots appear before the eyes. Return to contents
Special causes of headaches and floaters
Floaters that appear before the eyes and are accompanied by a headache, in certain cases indicate serious disruptions in the functioning of systems and organs. In this case, you should immediately contact a medical facility, as delay can cost your life. Dangerous causes of symptoms include:
- Stroke. It can be recognized by a sudden headache, difficulty pronouncing words, weakness in one limb and the appearance of facial asymmetry. If these symptoms appear, you need to call an ambulance and provide the person with fresh air.
- Hypertensive crisis. Often people themselves know about the presence of arterial hypertension. The main feature of the disease is a sharp increase in blood pressure. At this moment, the retina of the eye ceases to receive the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients. An increase in blood pressure is accompanied by the appearance of floaters, headaches and a decrease in the quality of vision. Over time, its complete or partial loss is possible. If the patient undergoes a course of therapy in a timely manner, vision restoration is possible.
- Internal bleeding. It can occur with a blow to the abdominal area, spleen, or against the background of an ectopic pregnancy. Accompanied by dizziness, increased sweating, loss of consciousness and weakness. The patient needs to be hospitalized urgently.
There can be many reasons for the appearance of floaters before your eyes. It is important to install it correctly and begin treatment if necessary.
Prevention
Most often, the appearance of flies before the eyes is associated with a strong load on the visual apparatus and the brain. To avoid such troubles, you should follow simple rules:
- Normalize your daily routine. Sleep should last at least eight hours;
- Give up bad habits that negatively affect vascular health (cigarettes, abuse of alcoholic beverages and coffee);
- Physical activity must be commensurate with the body’s capabilities;
- To maintain the health of your visual system, regularly take a course of vitamin A and supplements containing iron;
- If you have to work at a computer for a long time, take a break every half hour and do simple eye exercises. This will maintain visual acuity and help maintain toned eye muscles.
