**Understanding Eye Floaters:** Eye floaters are small, drifting shapes in your vision, often appearing as dark specks, strands, or cobweb-like patterns. They are very common, affecting about 70% of people, and are usually harmless. Floaters occur due to age-related changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye. As the vitreous shrinks over time, its protein fibers clump together, casting shadows on the retina, which creates the floaters you see.
**When to Worry and How to Manage:** While most floaters are not a concern, a sudden increase in their number, flashes of light, blurred vision, or eye pain could signal a serious issue like retinal detachment, requiring immediate medical attention. In most cases, floaters fade or become less noticeable over time. To reduce their impact, try moving your eyes up and down to shift them out of your central vision. Eating a diet rich in omega-3s, zinc, and Vitamin A can also support overall eye health and potentially help manage floaters.
