Eye Floaters
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Eye floaters
Black spots in vision
Sudden floaters in one eye
Flashing lights
Seeing spots in vision
Blind spots in vision
Bright spots in vision
Seeing shadows in peripheral vision
Dots in vision
Cobwebs in vision
Seeing shapes in vision
Blurry vision
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Eye Floaters quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Something like an insect is always visible
- It seems like mosquitoes are flying around
- It seems like there are insects flying
- Small shapes appearing in my vision
- Small shapes floating around my eye
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
Floaters are tiny specks or dots that can be seen in the vision. These may affect either or both eyes and are most prominent when looking at light-colored areas. Floaters can sometimes be a sign of a retinal detachment and should be evaluated by an eye doctor.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Tiny dots or objects in vision
Possible Causes
Generally, Eye floaters can be related to:
- Sarcoidosis (Including Erythema Nodosum-Like Eruption)
A disease where small lumps (called granulomas) form in the skin, lungs, eyes, and other organs. Since various organs are affected, there is a wide range of possible symptoms. The exact causes are not well understood.
- Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes vision loss in patients with diabetes due to damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Your retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of your eyes and is responsible for turning the light signals your eyes receive into images in your brain. These damaged vessels in the retina result in blurred vision or even vision loss.
- Migraine
A type of headache that typically presents as throbbing, pulsating pain on one side of the head, sometimes with associated nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Sometimes, sensory disturbances, such as vision changes (seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines), can occur before the headache. The pain may worsen on exposure to bright lights or loud noise. Triggers for migraine include stress, poor sleep, caffeine, and hormonal changes in women.
- Severe Myopia
- Uveitis
- Macular Edema
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Cataracts
- Pathologic Myopia
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Eye floaters may be related to these serious diseases:
- Retinal Detachment
An eye condition causing holes in vision when looking at objects. It is due to the retina (sensing layer of the eye) peeling off, usually because of aging, eye injury, or diabetes.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you see floating shapes or dots in your vision (like insects)?
- How has the appearance of tiny shapes or dots in your vision changed since it started?
- How long have you had tiny shapes or dots floating around in your vision (sometimes appearing like insects)?
- How much do the floating shapes or dots in your vision affect your daily life?
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References
Floaters in Vision- American Academy of Ophthalmology
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-floaters-flashes
Reviewed By:
Ami Shah Vira, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. She completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastic at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Shah Vira specializes in surgical correction of the eyelids and eyebrows, eyelid malposition and tumors, excessive tearing, and conditions involving the orbit.
Masashi Mimura, MD (Ophthalmology)
Dr. Mimura Graduated from the Osaka Medical College and obtained his ophthalmologist certification in 2007. He opened an outpatient clinic for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Osaka Kaijo Hospital. Subsequently, he was appointed as the assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, in 2014. He then served an international fellowship at the Department of Ophthalmology/Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, California State University, San Diego. Since then, he has been appointed as Lecturer in the Departments of Ophthalmology at Osaka Medical College and Toho University Medical Center Sakura Hospital. Dr. Mimura is currently the Director of Oculofacial Clinic Osaka, where he specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1