Eye floaters are tiny spots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision, especially noticeable against bright backgrounds. Healthline explains they “seem to move as your eyes move, often darting away when you try to focus on them.” Some people also see flashes of light when the gel in the eye, called the vitreous, pulls on the retina.

Floaters are made of collagen fibers in the vitreous that shrink and clump with age, casting shadows on your retina. They are most common between ages 50 and 75, in nearsighted people, or those who have had cataract surgery. Most floaters are harmless, but a sudden increase or flashes with vision loss can indicate serious issues like retinal tears, detachment, infections, or uveitis.

Vision Center notes floaters can be diagnosed with a “dilated eye exam,” where eye drops widen the pupils for a full check. Treatments include vitrectomy, an invasive surgery removing floaters, or laser therapy, which “helps reduce the floaters by breaking them down,” though the latter is still experimental.

Regular eye check-ups and awareness of symptoms are key to maintaining healthy vision.