What Are Eye Floaters? And Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Them—Especially if You Also Have Dry Eyes

Have you ever noticed tiny spots, squiggly lines, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your field of vision? They might dart away when you try to look directly at them or float lazily around, especially when you’re looking at a bright background like a blue sky or a white wall.

These little visual “phantoms” are known as eye floaters, and if you’re a woman over 40, you’re not alone in noticing them. They can be a normal part of aging—but they can also be a sign of something more.

As a certified optician and a woman who believes in empowering others to take their health seriously, I want to break down what floaters really are, why they appear, when to see a doctor, and how they relate to another very common condition I talk about on my YouTube channel: dry eyes.

Let’s dive into it.

What Exactly Are Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are tiny clumps of cells or strands of collagen inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eye. As we age, the vitreous slowly begins to shrink and liquefy, and as it does, tiny fibers can clump together. These cast shadows on the retina—the light-sensitive part of the eye—creating the illusion of floating spots.

What They Look Like:

• Small dots or circles
• Thread-like strands or squiggles
• Web-like shadows
• Tiny cobwebs that drift when you move your eyes

Floaters don’t usually follow your gaze exactly. They tend to drift away when you try to look directly at them, which can make them frustrating and even a little eerie.

Common Causes of Eye Floaters

Floaters can be harmless, but understanding their causes helps you be proactive about your eye health.

1. 

Aging

The most common reason for floaters is age-related changes in the vitreous. After age 40 (especially for women), it’s very normal to start noticing a few floaters now and then.

2. 

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)

This happens when the vitreous begins to pull away from the retina. It’s a normal aging process, but it can lead to an increase in floaters—and sometimes flashes of light.

3. 

Eye Injuries or Surgeries

Eye trauma or surgery can cause blood or debris in the vitreous, which may show up as floaters.

4. 

Inflammation (Uveitis)

Inflammation in the back of the eye, especially posterior uveitis, can lead to floaters. This is more serious and requires medical attention.

5. 

Retinal Tears or Detachments

This is an emergency. If you see a sudden shower of floaters, light flashes, or a curtain or shadow in your peripheral vision, call your eye doctor immediately.

Are Floaters Ever Dangerous?

Most floaters are harmless and just a sign of normal aging. But if you notice sudden changes—like a dramatic increase in number, or flashes of light—it could mean something serious like a retinal tear or detachment.

Symptom	Possible Meaning	What to Do
Occasional floater	Normal aging	Monitor
Gradual increase in floaters	Normal aging or PVD	Schedule eye exam
Sudden increase, flashes of light	Retinal tear or detachment	Emergency visit
Dark shadow or curtain in vision	Retinal detachment	Emergency visit
Pain or redness with floaters	Possible uveitis or infection	Urgent eye exam

How Are Floaters Diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to know what’s going on. Your eye doctor will likely:

• Dilate your eyes to look at the retina and vitreous
• Check for tears or detachment
• Ask about your symptoms, general health, and any trauma or surgeries

It’s especially important for women over 40 to get regular eye exams, as hormonal shifts and age-related changes can increase your risk for various eye conditions—including dry eyes, which we’ll talk more about in a moment.

Treatment Options for Floaters

In most cases, no treatment is necessary. Your brain learns to tune out floaters over time. But if they become very bothersome or affect your vision, there are some options:

1. 

Observation

If the floaters aren’t getting worse and there are no signs of retinal issues, your doctor will likely just monitor them.

2. 

Vitrectomy

This is a surgical procedure to remove the vitreous gel and replace it with a saline solution. It’s rarely done solely for floaters unless vision is severely impacted.

3. 

Laser Treatment (Laser Vitreolysis)

This uses a laser to break up floaters. It’s not commonly performed, and results can vary.

Important: You should never try to self-diagnose or ignore new or worsening symptoms. Even though most floaters are harmless, vision loss can happen quickly if a more serious condition is behind them.

Eye Floaters and Dry Eyes: What’s the Connection?

You might be wondering—what do floaters have to do with dry eyes?

Technically, they’re different conditions, but they can show up around the same time, especially in women over 40. Here’s why:

1. 

Both Are Age-Related

As we age, the quality of our tears changes, leading to dry eye. At the same time, the vitreous begins to shrink, creating floaters. It’s not uncommon to experience both.

2. 

Dry Eyes Can Make Floaters More Noticeable

When your eyes are dry, you may blink less frequently, especially when reading or staring at a screen. This can make floaters seem more obvious, as the tear film isn’t smoothing your vision the way it should.

3. 

Similar Triggers

Stress, screen time, dehydration, and hormone changes can contribute to both floaters and dry eyes. Women going through perimenopause or menopause often experience both at the same time.

Signs You May Have Dry Eyes Too

If you’re seeing floaters and also experiencing these symptoms, you may also have dry eye syndrome:

• Burning or stinging sensation
• Redness
• Blurry vision that gets better after blinking
• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Eyes that water a lot (yes, that’s also a dry eye symptom!)
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Simple Tips to Support Your Eye Health

Here’s how you can take better care of your eyes—especially if you’re noticing floaters and dry eyes at the same time:

1. 

Use Preservative-Free Artificial Tears

They help hydrate the eye surface and may reduce the sensation of floaters by improving tear quality.

2. 

Drink More Water

Dehydration worsens both conditions. Aim for 6–8 glasses a day.

3. 

Take Screen Breaks

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

4. 

Wear Sunglasses

UV light can damage the eyes and make you more sensitive to floaters.

5. 

Omega-3 Supplements

These are known to support tear production and reduce inflammation.

When to Call Your Eye Doctor

Call your eye doctor immediately if you experience:

• A sudden burst of new floaters
• Light flashes
• A shadow or curtain over part of your vision
• Pain, redness, or vision loss

Otherwise, keep a regular schedule for eye exams—once a year is ideal, especially after 40.

Want to Learn More About Dry Eyes?

If you’re seeing floaters and wondering if your dry eyes are part of the picture, I created a short, informative video on my YouTube channel where I break it all down in plain, simple language.

In the video, I share:

• How to know if you really have dry eye syndrome
• Everyday habits that make dry eyes worse
• Easy at-home solutions to find relief

Watch it here:

Click to watch my YouTube video on dry eyes 

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Clear, Comfortable Vision

If you’re noticing floaters more often, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. They can be a normal part of aging, especially in women over 40, but they can also signal deeper issues that shouldn’t be ignored.

Your eye health matters, and staying informed is the first step. Whether it’s floaters, dry eyes, or blurry vision, your eyes are giving you signals—and I’m here to help you listen to them.

Let’s protect your vision, together.

If you found this helpful, be sure to subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel so you never miss an update. And don’t forget to share this with a friend who might be wondering about those little floaters, too.

Stay empowered, stay glowing,

Shirlie Jones