Transparent or translucent spots in vision are most often vitreous floaters. They appear as grey shadows, strands, or rings that move with eye movements.
Sources
Age‑related vitreous degeneration, posterior vitreous detachment, and remnants of embryonic tissue commonly cause floaters. Less commonly, inflammation, bleeding, or retinal tears release cells and pigment into the vitreous that appear as moving specks.
- Floaters are more noticeable against bright, uniform backgrounds
- Sudden increase in floaters or associated flashes raises concern for retinal tear
- Certain surgeries or trauma accelerate vitreous changes
- High myopia predisposes to earlier vitreous detachment
When to Worry
Long‑standing, stable floaters are usually benign. New, numerous, or dense floaters, especially with light flashes or field defects, require urgent retinal assessment.
- Retinal tears may be treated with laser to prevent detachment
- Rarely, severe floaters are managed with vitrectomy in selected patients
- Patients should be educated about monitoring for new symptoms
- Systemic inflammatory or vascular disease may underlie some cases
