What Do Flecks in the Eye Mean?

Flecks in the eye, sometimes known as black spots or floaters, are a common occurrence most people experience at one time or another. Typically, flecks in the eye are not a serious problem. However, if clusters of multiple flecks suddenly appear, it may be a sign of a potentially dangerous condition.

Identification

• According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), floaters are dark specks or shapes in the eye that move when your eye moves. They literally float and drift inside your eye and are most evident when looking at something bright. It is common to see these flecks outside on a sunny day.

Causes

• Floaters are formed when a jelly-like substance in the eye known as the vitreous begins to shrink. The vitreous becomes stringy, and these squiggly lines cause the flecks in your line of vision. The vitreous fills approximately 80 percent of your eye and is necessary to maintain its round shape.

Warnings

• Most of the time, flecks in the eyes are part of the natural aging process and are not considered a serious problem. However, the NEI says that floaters can be a result of a more serious condition directly associated with infection, inflammation, hemorrhaging or retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is potentially dangerous, occurring when any part of the retina's tissue is pulled away from the back wall of the eye. If left untreated, retinal detachment can cause visual impairment and possibly blindness.

Treatment

• For most people, these flecks are not serious. They are a minor annoyance, and the NEI says no treatment is necessary. But if the floaters become too numerous and begin to impair vision, surgery may be required.

Considerations

• Besides the elderly, others who may be at risk for developing flecks in the eye are individuals who are nearsighted, diabetics and those who have had an eye operation such as cataract surgery.