Are eye floaters normal?

Long-standing, stable floaters usually are. What matters is change: new floaters, many at once, or flashes alongside them.

Do eye floaters go away?

They often settle and the brain learns to ignore them. The exam’s job is to make sure nothing dangerous caused them.

What if a tear is found?

We coordinate urgent referral with ophthalmologists and retina specialists, and continue your care afterward.

What are floaters in the eye?

Floaters are small clumps of collagen inside the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the eye. They cast shadows on the retina, so you see specks, threads or cobwebs that drift when you move your eyes and show most against a bright sky or white screen. Most people have a few; what matters is a sudden change.

What causes eye floaters?

Usually normal aging: strands of the vitreous gel clump together and cast shadows on the retina, and the gel eventually separates from the retina (a posterior vitreous detachment). Nearsighted eyes and eyes that have had surgery or inflammation get them earlier. Less often, floaters come from bleeding, uveitis or a retinal tear, which is why a sudden shower of new floaters, especially with flashes, is examined the same day, or at an emergency room when we're closed.

How do you get rid of eye floaters?

Usually you do not need to. Most floaters fade from notice as the brain learns to ignore them. Surgery to remove the vitreous (vitrectomy) exists for the rare floater that truly blocks vision, but it carries real risks and is not a routine option. The exam's job is to confirm the floater is harmless, which turns a nuisance into something you can live with.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Kevin Cohenmehr, OD Last reviewed October 24, 2026

Floaters and Flashes: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Usually harmless. Occasionally urgent. The difference is a dilated exam.

Floaters are shadows cast by small clumps in the vitreous gel inside the eye — drifting specks, threads or cobwebs, most visible against bright backgrounds. Many are harmless and long-standing. New ones, showers of them, or flashes of light are a different story.

Book appointmentOr call 310-828-2010 Accepted insurance

Usually: Harmless age-related change
Red flags: New flashes, showers, a curtain
The test: Same-day dilated exam
Why: Retinal tears are time-critical

Be seen the same day if you notice

A sudden new floater, or a shower of many
Flashes of light, especially repeated in one spot
A dark curtain or shadow entering your vision from any side
Floaters after a blow to the eye
Blurred vision alongside new floaters

Why flashes matter

Sudden flashes of light may indicate traction on the retina and can be an early sign of a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Flashes of light should always be evaluated the same day.

Same-day urgent care →

The exam

What we do when floaters change.

Dilated retinal examination
Retinal imaging and photography
Evaluation for retinal tears, vitreous changes, or hemorrhage
Prompt referral to a retina specialist when retinal pathology is suspected

Most of the time the finding is a posterior vitreous detachment — the gel separating normally with age — and the visit with our Los Angeles eye doctors ends with reassurance and a follow-up plan. When it is a tear, catching it the same day is what protects your sight.

Do not wait

New flashes or a curtain of shadow? Call now.

Same-day appointments for flashes and floaters
Dilated exam and retinal imaging in one visit
Urgent referral coordinated when needed

Call 310-828-2010

Common questions

Floaters and flashes, answered.

Anything else, call the office at 310-828-2010.

Long-standing, stable floaters usually are. What matters is change: new floaters, many at once, or flashes alongside them.
They often settle and the brain learns to ignore them. The exam’s job is to make sure nothing dangerous caused them.
We coordinate urgent referral with ophthalmologists and retina specialists, and continue your care afterward.
Floaters are small clumps of collagen inside the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the eye. They cast shadows on the retina, so you see specks, threads or cobwebs that drift when you move your eyes and show most against a bright sky or white screen. Most people have a few; what matters is a sudden change.
Usually normal aging: strands of the vitreous gel clump together and cast shadows on the retina, and the gel eventually separates from the retina (a posterior vitreous detachment). Nearsighted eyes and eyes that have had surgery or inflammation get them earlier. Less often, floaters come from bleeding, uveitis or a retinal tear, which is why a sudden shower of new floaters, especially with flashes, is examined the same day, or at an emergency room when we're closed.
Usually you do not need to. Most floaters fade from notice as the brain learns to ignore them. Surgery to remove the vitreous (vitrectomy) exists for the rare floater that truly blocks vision, but it carries real risks and is not a routine option. The exam's job is to confirm the floater is harmless, which turns a nuisance into something you can live with.

Also consider

Next step

Changed floaters? Same-day exam.

Call the office — flashes and new floaters are among the six problems we always see the same day.

Call 310-828-2010 Or book online