(Oct 10) Q What is an eye floater? As I understand it, usually older people have the problem, yet I am only 18 years old and both my eyes have floaters. Is it serious? Can I have surgery to remove them?

A We may sometimes see small dots moving in our field of vision. They are called floaters. They are more obvious when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky.

Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous - the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye.

When people reach middle age, the vitreous begins to liquefy and contract. The vitreous gel pulls away from the retina, forming strands inside the eye. It is a common cause of floaters and can also happen in young people, especially those who are short-sighted.

Floaters may look like specks, strands or webs. They are the shadows of floaters cast on the retina, the light-sensitive part of the eye. Because they are inside your eye, they move with your eyes.

Most floaters in the eye are harmless. Many will become less bothersome. People are sometimes interested in surgery to remove floaters, but doctors are willing to perform such surgery only in very rare instances, for example when large floaters are affecting central vision.

You may also see flashes of light, caused by mechanical stimulation of the retina. Sometimes, the vitreous detachment can result in tears in the retina. In this situation, it can lead to retinal detachment, a sight-threatening condition. Retinal laser treatment is therefore necessary to prevent retinal detachment.

Hence, the sudden appearance of a significant number of floaters, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light or other vision disturbances, could indicate a retinal tear or detachment or other serious problems in the eye.

If you suddenly see new floaters, visit your eye doctor immediately.

DR LEE JONG JIAN, CONSULTANT, OPHTHALMOLOGIST, RAFFLES HOSPITAL

For an appointment, call 6311-1222