Those squiggles could mean something

Have you ever looked at something and seen weird smudges or lines, then realized there was nothing there? Most of us have seen floaters in our eyes. They are annoying. They're common, but if you see floaters, it's worth monitoring them; a health expert explains what to do. What are floaters? Dr. Daniel Polya from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists said that floaters are caused by vitreous fibers (which make up about 80% of the eye) clumping together. He told Daily Mail Australia: "It's the condensation of collagen fibers." Large molecules of collagen clump together and make shadows on your retina, which you see as eye floaters. The clumps make dark blobs or squiggly lines when we look at a bright light or a white wall. It's disappointing if someone comes in with retinal detachment from a posterior vitreous detachment that hasn't been examined earlier. Posterior vitreous detachment is a common, harmless process in which the gel inside your eyes changes. Sometimes, it can cause a large ring-shaped floater in the eye. "PVD can lead to a tear in the retina. If this happens, there's a 50% chance of retinal detachment," Dr Polya said. A retinal tear can be treated with laser surgery, but it's essential to catch it early to avoid further damage. "PVD is common and not a big deal, but retinal detachment is a problem because it means the patient could have had an exam sooner," Dr. Polya said. When to see an optician See an optician when new eyesight problems appear. Dr Polya says seeing an optician when a new floater appears is essential. Most people ignore them because they're part of everyday life. The expert added that laser surgery can remove large floaters but has risks.