Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

"Floaty " bits in eyes...

29 replies

MoreSpamThanGlam · 27/03/2008 11:26

Ive got lots of these today. do you know what i mean? Not real floaty things (at least i dont think i have anything in my eyes). Does anyone know what they are?

OP posts:
throckenholt · 27/03/2008 11:28

often a sign of blood pressure issues (you can get them if you stand up too quickly, or have been upside down or similar).

If it is very sudden and you have never had them before I would ring NHS Direct or try and get to see a gp.

BBBee · 27/03/2008 11:31

i think it is low blood pressue.

I get these and don't worry about it.

Youcannotbeserious · 27/03/2008 11:33

I've got these - sometimes they seem worse but they are always there...

I don't have high or low BP.

Never caused me any concern, but I don't know what causes them...

awayfromhome · 27/03/2008 11:34

Everyone has floaty bits some more than others. It is sudden flashes of light either white or blue and then a lot of floaters that can be a sign of retinal problems - I was told this by my eye doctor, as I have had this and some surgery for tears and holes in the retina.

The floaty bits are I think, bits of jelly and stuff - technical I know

Anna8888 · 27/03/2008 11:35

I get more of them when I'm tired.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 27/03/2008 11:57

Do you mean that they are in your tear film? (ie they go away when you blink) or are they actually in your eye?
If in your eye then I'd phone your optician and tell them as they've suddenly come on - they will probably want to have a look and its nice for reassurance.
If you get any flashes of light in that eye then please make an urgent appt.

wannaBe · 27/03/2008 12:00

if they're in your eye ring the eye department at your hospital and see if you can get an appointment today. Most eye clinics run a casualty time for just such events - don't want to scare you but floaty bits in your eye can be indicative of retina detachment.

lazyhippo · 27/03/2008 12:12

Longstanding floaters/flashers are ok, but sudden new onset of lots needs to get seen urgently, as it could indicate the early signs of retinal detachment. If this is a new problem for you, you need to get an assessment of your vision done today. If you're not in a big city with easy access to eye clinic, then see your GP today. They would then be able to discuss your case with the oncall ophthalmologist and arrange for you to get seen today if needed.

3littlefrogs · 27/03/2008 12:15

If you are pregnant you must see midwife/gp today for BP check and urine test. Otherwise optician for eye check.

Original poster
MoreSpamThanGlam · 27/03/2008 12:22

Wow - lots of answers - thanks!

I am very very tired today (baby with stinker of a cold and 2 hours sleep)

You can see lots of floaty bits (Ive had this before with 1 or 2 but there are loads today)

Have booked eye test for tomorrow. Thanks

OP posts:
EffiePerine · 27/03/2008 12:24

If there's a dramatic increase. see the optician, but they are pretty common. I find I get more when I'm tired (tho it may becasue I notice them more at these times). Do you have severe short sight? If so, even more reason to get them checked out (as you are doing )

throckenholt · 27/03/2008 12:25

are they dark or bright ?

I just googled - and it seems the "eye floaters" are dark.

The things I meant are bright specs that float around. I googled and got this which is more what I was thinking of. It mentions lack of sleep.

Seeing stars is usually due to a lack of blood reaching the brain, and thus a lack of oxygen. Most commonly this happens after standing up quickly or straightening after bending over. You don't see it all the time because the arteries serving the brain reflexively dilate to maintain pressure, but those reflexes may be disturbed by lack of sleep or food, a hangover, or an infection. Physical trauma may also cause the reflex to malfunction, which is why stars float around Sylvester the Cat's head when he gets bonked. Rarely, seeing stars can be caused by too much blood reaching the brain. This doesn't happen much outside of the laboratory or a jet fighter, as the arteries have a very strong constriction reflex to keep it in check.

EffiePerine · 27/03/2008 12:28

I get transparent-ish floaters as well, not just dark/black ones

ingles2 · 27/03/2008 12:29

I'm a photographer and get these quite a lot. Optician reassures me they're caused by tiredness and eye strain. i.e too much staring at the computer! So get off MN!
and go to the optician just in case.

Original poster
MoreSpamThanGlam · 27/03/2008 12:33

They are dark...like bits of dust in your eye. if you try to follow them they "move2 but if you fovus on one thing they kind of sink...

OP posts:
throckenholt · 27/03/2008 12:45

ok - not what I was thinking of then - sounds more lilke the eye related things that the others mentioned. Optician seems the right person to see.

EffiePerine · 27/03/2008 13:45

def sounds like floaters - again, usually harmless

citylover · 27/03/2008 14:19

I have had white glittery shimmery type floaters for quite a while - my optician said she could also see them at the back of my eyes.

They used to bother me but not so much now.

I spend about 7 hours each day on computer so suppose that's why and am nearly always tired.

loopylou6 · 27/03/2008 18:18

MSTG, i have exactly the same thing, please let me know what the opticion says as im very curious

poodlepusher · 27/03/2008 18:22

I've always had these and low blood pressure but I didn't know the two were connected.

I don't think you need to worry, unless its seriously hampering your sight and ability to get on with day to day things.

loopylou6 · 27/03/2008 19:07

PP do you find that yours are fixed? i have one and its always there

poodlepusher · 27/03/2008 19:23

yes, though it does move around.

Madlentileater · 27/03/2008 19:29

these are floaters, optician explained it to me and now I've forgotten! they are harmless, and no indicator of anything, BUT I remember he said they are worse/more visible because of my extreme short sight something to do with the shqpe of the eye ball.

loopylou6 · 27/03/2008 19:31

Tis interesting you mention that MLE (luv the name ) i have notuced that i am short sighted in the eye with the floater

ratbunny · 27/03/2008 19:32

I love my floaty things in my eye!
As they are slightly off centre, I like to either
look at them and 'chase' them out of vision
or
look away from them and try to hold them in the middle of my vision.
great fun!