Floaters are shadows which are cast on the retina by solid particles moving around in the vitreous cavity. The retina is the light sensitive membrane in the eye and in many ways can be compared to the film in a camera. The vitreous cavity is the back four-fifths of the eye and contains the vitreous jelly. Because the vitreous jelly is semi solid and constantly moving, the particles move around giving the appearance of something floating within the eye. Nearly everyone is aware of floaters from time to time particularly when looking at a bright blue sky or on a misty day. Such floaters are usually ‘normal’ or ‘physiological’.



Pic : A vitreous floater