Eye floaters are common visual phenomena appearing as small spots, specks, or lines drifting across one’s field of vision. This article explores their nature and relationship with fatigue.
What Eye Floaters Are
Eye floaters are tiny clumps of cells or protein within the vitreous humor, the jelly-like substance filling the eye. As people age, the vitreous changes, becoming more liquid and contracting. This causes collagen fibers to clump, forming strands.
These strands cast shadows onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, which the brain interprets as floaters. Floaters can appear as black or gray specks, squiggly lines, threads, or cobwebs. Most floaters are a normal and harmless part of the aging process.
The Connection Between Tiredness and Eye Floaters
Tiredness does not directly cause eye floaters to form; they result from age-related changes in the vitreous. However, being tired can significantly impact how noticeable or bothersome existing floaters become.
When a person is fatigued, their brain and eye muscles may not have the usual energy to filter out or ignore these visual disturbances. An alert and energetic brain often works to suppress the perception of minor visual anomalies like floaters. When the brain is tired, it may allocate less energy to this filtering process, making the floaters more prominent in one’s vision.
Additionally, factors such as staring intently at screens for long periods or reduced blinking due to fatigue can make individuals more aware of floaters that are already present. Therefore, while tiredness does not create new floaters, it can increase an individual’s perception of them.
When to Be Concerned About Floaters
While most eye floaters are harmless, certain changes can signal a more serious eye condition that requires immediate medical attention. A sudden increase in floaters, especially if accompanied by new flashes of light, warrants prompt evaluation by an eye care professional. These symptoms could indicate a retinal tear or a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) pulling on the retina.
Other concerning signs include a shadow or curtain in the field of vision, or sudden loss of vision. These could be symptoms of a retinal detachment, a condition where the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
Floaters, haziness, or a red hue in vision can also indicate a vitreous hemorrhage, which is bleeding within the eye. It is important to consult an eye specialist without delay if any of these symptoms occur.