{"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":"2026-09-16T15:09:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T13:09:01","slug":"floaters-vitreous-opacity-mouches-volantes-in-the-eye-symptoms-causes-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/floaters-vitreous-opacity-mouches-volantes-in-the-eye-symptoms-causes-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Floaters, vitreous opacity &#038; Mouches Volantes in the eye: Symptoms, Causes &#038; 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> <strong>impair 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 should be 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>\u201cmouches volantes\u201d<\/strong> or <strong>\u201cfloaters\u201d<\/strong> &#8211; harmless but sometimes <strong>disturbing phenomena<\/strong> in the <strong>vitreous body<\/strong> of 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 \u201cflying flies\u201d) 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>\u201c<strong>Black spots<\/strong>\u201d or \u201c<strong>soot rain<\/strong>\u201d 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 environments<\/strong> or during 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 fibres<\/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 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 their development. In rare cases, a <strong>vitreous detachment<\/strong> can even lead to a <strong>retinal tear<\/strong> or <strong>retinal detachment<\/strong> &#8211; which is why medical advice should be sought immediately if numerous floaters suddenly appear. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are floaters dangerous or just annoying? <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most people, <strong>floaters<\/strong> are primarily one thing: <strong>unusual and irritating<\/strong>. As a rule, <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> are <strong>harmless<\/strong> and do not require treatment. Especially with <strong>age-related changes<\/strong> in the <strong>vitreous body<\/strong>, the appearance of <strong>mouches volantes<\/strong> is a typical symptom &#8211; the <strong>spots<\/strong>, <strong>streaks<\/strong> or <strong>flying mosquitoes<\/strong> are disturbing, but have no influence on the <strong>retina<\/strong> or actual <strong>vision<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many cases, the <strong>brain gets used<\/strong> to the <strong>visual disturbances<\/strong> over time &#8211; they become <strong>less noticeable<\/strong> or are 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>Suddenly appearing floaters<\/strong> that multiply rapidly or are accompanied by other <strong>visual disturbances<\/strong> should definitely be clarified by a doctor. Particularly critical are: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flashes of light<\/strong> or \u201cphotopsia\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>soot rain<\/strong> of many small black dots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A shadow or <strong>\u201ccurtain\u201d in the field of vision<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Severe deterioration of vision in a short time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These symptoms can indicate <strong>retinal detachment<\/strong> or a <strong>retinal tear<\/strong> &#8211; both <strong>emergencies<\/strong> that require immediate ophthalmological clarification. Without rapid treatment, permanent <strong>vision loss<\/strong> can occur in such cases. <\/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; appear particularly clearly when the eye looks 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-filled rooms<\/strong> with strong sunlight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When <strong>rolling your eyes<\/strong> or making rapid eye movements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason: In such situations, light hits the <strong>clumps in the vitreous body<\/strong> unhindered, which are then perceived as <strong>spotty shadows or streaks<\/strong> on the retina. In dark environments or during focused close-up work, however, the <strong>opacities<\/strong> are often barely noticeable. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment options for disturbing vitreous opacities <\/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 <strong>vitreous opacities<\/strong> over time, and the brain learns to filter out <strong>visual disturbances<\/strong>. Nevertheless, there are situations in which <strong>floaters<\/strong> so severely <strong>impair vision<\/strong> that <strong>treatment becomes sensible<\/strong> or even necessary.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two medical options are available for patients with severe distress:<\/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 for <strong>removing 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 specifically destroyed<\/strong> or reduced in size so that they are no longer perceived as disturbing. A <strong>YAG laser<\/strong> is directed through the <strong>pupil<\/strong> at the <strong>clumped collagen fibres<\/strong>. These are dissolved into smaller particles that can be better distributed or filtered 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 opacities<\/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 anaesthesia<\/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 for <strong>vitreolysis<\/strong> should always be made individually and after a thorough <strong>ophthalmological examination<\/strong>. It offers a gentle way to <strong>improve vision<\/strong> without having to resort to <strong>surgical intervention<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group eyelaser-guide-cta\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scharf sehen ohne Brille \u2013 EyeLaser Wien &amp; Linz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sie m\u00f6chten Ihre Sehst\u00e4rke dauerhaft korrigieren lassen? Bei EyeLaser in Wien und Linz beraten Sie erfahrene Chirurgen zu allen Methoden des <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/augenlasern-wien\/\">Augenlaserns in Wien<\/a>. Alle Preise finden Sie transparent in der <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/augenlasern-kosten\/\">Kosten\u00fcbersicht<\/a> \u2013 oder pr\u00fcfen Sie mit dem <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/eignungstest\/\">Selbsttest<\/a>, ob Augenlasern f\u00fcr Sie geeignet ist.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elxp-byline\" style=\"margin-top:16px;font-size:.9em;color:#6b7680;display:block\">Medizinisch gepr\u00fcft von <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/dr-victor-derhartunian-wien\/\" style=\"font-weight:700\">Dr. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO<\/a> \u00b7 Zuletzt aktualisiert: 30. August 2026<\/div>","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}]}}