{"id":31183,"date":"2025-06-03T14:55:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T12:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/floaters-vitreous-opacities-mouches-volantes-in-the-eye-symptoms-causes-treatment\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T22:59:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:59:57","slug":"floaters-vitreous-opacities-mouches-volantes-in-the-eye-symptoms-causes-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/floaters-vitreous-opacities-mouches-volantes-in-the-eye-symptoms-causes-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Floaters, vitreous opacities &amp; mouches volantes in the eye: symptoms, causes &amp; treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They look like <strong>dancing dots<\/strong>, <strong>thread-like streaks<\/strong> or tiny <strong>gnats<\/strong> floating through the field of vision &#8211; and they cannot be fixed or simply blinked away: <strong>floaters<\/strong>, also known as <strong>mouches volantes<\/strong>, are a common phenomenon caused by changes in the <strong>vitreous body of the eye<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what exactly is behind them? Are they harmless or a warning sign of a serious <strong>eye disease<\/strong> such as <strong>retinal detachment<\/strong>? And what should you do if <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> impair <strong>your everyday vision<\/strong>?  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this blog you will learn:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What <strong>mouches volantes<\/strong> actually are and how they develop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When they are particularly noticeable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Which <strong>symptoms<\/strong> should be <strong>taken seriously<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What <strong>treatment options<\/strong> are available &#8211; from <strong>laser<\/strong> to <strong>vitrectomy<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And when a visit to the <strong>ophthalmologist<\/strong> makes sense<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Floaters in the eye &#8211; what are the flying mosquitoes?  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost everyone sees them at some point: <strong>small, flying shadows<\/strong>, <strong>dots or threads<\/strong> that dance through the field of vision like tiny <strong>gnats<\/strong>. In medical terms, they are known as <strong>&#8220;mouches volantes&#8221;<\/strong> or <strong>&#8220;floaters&#8221;<\/strong> &#8211; harmless but sometimes <strong>disturbing phenomena<\/strong> in the <strong>vitreous body of<\/strong> the eye. They are particularly visible against a light background, such as a <strong>white wall<\/strong> or when looking up at the sky.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if they are annoying: In most cases, <strong>floaters<\/strong> are <strong>not dangerous<\/strong>, but a normal part of the <strong>ageing process of the eye<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mouches Volantes: When streaks and shadows disturb vision  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mouches volantes<\/strong> (French for &#8220;flying flies&#8221;) look like <strong>streaks, threads or clumps<\/strong> that seem to move weightlessly in the field of vision. These <strong>visual effects<\/strong> do not occur on the <strong>retina<\/strong>, but in the <strong>vitreous humor<\/strong> itself &#8211; the gel-like interior of the <strong>eyeball<\/strong> that lies between the <strong>lens<\/strong> and the <strong>retina<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Typical complaints:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;<strong>Black spots<\/strong>&#8221; or &#8220;<strong>soot rain<\/strong>&#8221; in the field of vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moving shadows<\/strong> when rolling your eyes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flying mosquitoes<\/strong> that elude the eye<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased occurrence in <strong>bright surroundings<\/strong> or long <strong>screen time<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do vitreous opacities develop?  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With increasing age, the <strong>vitreous body<\/strong> loses its homogeneous, clear structure. The <strong>collagen fibers<\/strong> and other components of the <strong>gel-like substance<\/strong> clump together or form <strong>microparticles<\/strong> &#8211; the result: <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> that scatter the light and thus cause the typical <strong>floater symptoms<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to natural <strong>ageing<\/strong>, <strong>short-sightedness<\/strong>, <strong>eye injuries<\/strong>, inflammation or <strong>metabolic diseases<\/strong> (e.g. <strong>high blood pressure<\/strong>) also play a role in the development of floaters. In rare cases, a <strong>detachment of the vitreous body<\/strong> can even lead to a <strong>retinal tear<\/strong> or <strong>detachment<\/strong> &#8211; which is why medical advice should always be sought if numerous floaters suddenly occur. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are floaters dangerous or just a nuisance?  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most people, <strong>floaters<\/strong> are one thing above all: <strong>unusual and irritating<\/strong>. As a rule, <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> are <strong>harmless<\/strong> and do not require treatment. The appearance of <strong>mouches volantes<\/strong> is a typical symptom of <strong>age-related changes to<\/strong> the <strong>vitreous humor<\/strong> in particular &#8211; the <strong>spots<\/strong>, <strong>streaks<\/strong> or <strong>flying gnats<\/strong> are disturbing, but have no effect on the <strong>retina<\/strong> or actual <strong>vision<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many cases <strong>, the brain gets used<\/strong> to the <strong>visual disturbances<\/strong> over time &#8211; they become <strong>less noticeable<\/strong> or even completely ignored.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevertheless, not every vitreous change is harmless. In rare cases, a sudden increase in <strong>floaters<\/strong>, combined with other symptoms, can be a serious <strong>warning sign<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warning signs of retinal detachment:  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sudden floaters<\/strong> that increase rapidly or are accompanied by further <strong>visual disturbances<\/strong> should definitely be clarified by a doctor. These are particularly critical: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flashes of light<\/strong> or &#8220;flash vision&#8221; (photopsies)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>shower of soot<\/strong> from many small black dots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A shadow or <strong>&#8220;curtain&#8221; in the field of vision<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Severe visual deterioration in a short time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These symptoms may indicate a <strong>retinal detachment<\/strong> or a <strong>retinal tear<\/strong> &#8211; both <strong>emergencies<\/strong> that require immediate ophthalmologic clarification. Without prompt treatment, such cases can lead to permanent <strong>loss of vision<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When you see mouches volantes particularly strongly<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Floaters<\/strong> &#8211; i.e. <strong>mouches volantes<\/strong> &#8211; are particularly noticeable when the eye is looking at a <strong>homogeneous, bright surface<\/strong>. Classic situations in which <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> are perceived as particularly disturbing are: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When looking at a <strong>white wall<\/strong> or <strong>bright sky<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When reading on a <strong>bright screen<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In <strong>light-flooded rooms<\/strong> with strong sunlight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When <strong>rolling the eyes<\/strong> or making rapid movements of the eye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason: in such situations, the light hits the <strong>clumps in the vitreous body<\/strong> unhindered, which are then perceived as <strong>blotchy shadows or streaks<\/strong> on the retina. In dark surroundings or with focused close-up work, on the other hand, the <strong>clouding<\/strong> is often barely noticeable. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment options for disturbing vitreous opacity  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In most cases, <strong>floaters<\/strong> are <strong>unpleasant<\/strong> but <strong>do not require treatment<\/strong>. Many patients get used to the <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> over time and the brain learns to block out the <strong>visual disturbances<\/strong>. Nevertheless, there are situations in which the <strong>floaters<\/strong> <strong>impair vision<\/strong> to such an extent that <strong>treatment is advisable<\/strong> or even necessary.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are two medical options available for patients with severe suffering:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Vitreolysis with laser<\/strong> &#8211; a minimally invasive procedure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surgical <strong>vitrectomy<\/strong> &#8211; a more invasive procedure to <strong>remove the vitreous body<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vitreolysis with laser &#8211; when this treatment makes sense<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Vitreolysis<\/strong> is a <strong>painless laser treatment<\/strong> in which <strong>vitreous opacities are shattered<\/strong> or reduced to such an extent that they are no longer noticeable. A <strong>YAG laser<\/strong> is directed through the <strong>pupil<\/strong> at the <strong>clumped collagen fibers<\/strong>. These are broken down into smaller particles that can be better dispersed or faded out by the brain.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method is particularly suitable for:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Clearly defined floaters<\/strong> that are centrally located in the field of vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Single large turbidities<\/strong> that are very disturbing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Younger patients<\/strong> without additional <strong>eye diseases<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and usually under <strong>local anesthesia<\/strong> using eye drops. It is <strong>relatively low-risk<\/strong>, but not suitable for all <strong>types of floaters<\/strong> &#8211; e.g. in the case of very diffuse opacities or proximity to the <strong>retina<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision to undergo <strong>vitreolysis<\/strong> should always be made on an individual basis and after a thorough <strong>ophthalmological examination<\/strong>. It offers a gentle way to <strong>improve vision<\/strong> without having to resort to <strong>surgery<\/strong>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>They look like dancing dots, thread-like streaks or tiny gnats floating through the field of vision &#8211; and they cannot&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":30952,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[210],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knowledge-about-the-eye"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31183\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}