What Are These Strange Things You See In Your Eye?

Sometimes you see them, sometime you don't - but there is a perfectly good scientific explanation behind them.

They are called "eye floaters", and no doubt you've seen them whenever you walk out of sunlight into a shadow.

Unusual in shape and size, and seemingly floating around your eyes - eye floaters are light-coloured especially when you look at a white wall or the blue sky.

Before you panic, they are perfectly normal - and harmless.  However if you're seeing an increasing number of them you should seek medical advice.

What causes them?

Glad you asked. The eye contains a clear, jelly-like substance called Vitreous Humour that helps maintain the shape of the eyeball.  

Floaters are suspended in this substance, and they move around.  Most go unnoticed as they drift around in your peripheral vision, however sometimes they drift across into your central vision.

Still with us?

How to get rid of them?

You can simply try looking up and down (without moving your head), or side to side.  This usually moves the "floaters" out of the way.

However, if you're constantly seeing them in your vision you should talk to your doctor.

If you want to know more, you can head over to the Better Health website where they use lots of big words.