What causes eye floaters, and what should you do about them?

Floaters in the eyes may be caused by aging, eye fatigue, high myopia, conjunctivitis, uveitis, and other factors. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatments—such as general management or medication—under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Aging

With increasing age, the vitreous humor may gradually undergo degeneration and liquefaction. This can easily lead to vitreous opacities, resulting in floaters. This is a common and normal physiological phenomenon that typically does not require special treatment.

2. Eye Fatigue

Prolonged use of electronic devices or extended periods of work may lead to eye strain, which can trigger floaters. It is advisable to take adequate rest, avoid prolonged visual tasks, and regularly perform eye exercises to help alleviate discomfort.

3. High Myopia

This condition may be related to genetic factors or improper use of the eyes. Patients with high myopia often have elongated axial length and thinner retinas, making them more susceptible to vitreous liquefaction and opacities, thereby causing floaters. In addition to seeing floating dark spots, individuals with high myopia may also experience symptoms such as decreased vision and visual fatigue. Developing healthy eye-use habits and wearing properly prescribed corrective lenses can help relieve these symptoms.

4. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis may be associated with factors such as ultraviolet radiation or viral infection. Local inflammation can lead to symptoms including retinal bleeding and swelling. Retinal hemorrhage may cause vitreous opacity, leading to the development of floaters. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and use medications such as chloramphenicol eye drops, ganciclovir eye drops, or ofloxacin eye drops for treatment.

5. Uveitis

Uveitis may be linked to parasitic infections or mechanical eye injuries. The condition can also result in vitreous opacity, increasing the risk of developing floaters, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as eye pain and congestion. Patients should use medications like diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, dexamethasone acetate tablets, or indomethacin sustained-release capsules under a doctor's supervision to improve symptoms.

In daily life, patients should maintain good eye hygiene, avoid rubbing the eyes, ensure sufficient rest, spend more time outdoors, engage in moderate physical exercise, avoid prolonged continuous eye use, and refrain from staying up late, all of which can help improve symptoms.