Eye floaters are basically small particles of debris that get trapped in the clear transparent fluid in the eye called the vitreous humor. These particles may either be congenital or may appear due to degeneration of some tissues of the retina or the vitreous humor. Floaters may cause brief and passing shadows to come across the field of vision, or may sometimes, create a sudden sensation of a flash of light when no external source of light is available. Even when the eyes are closed, the patient may see bright flashes in the corner of the eyes. These flashes often shoot across the field of vision, as sudden shooting lines or arcs. The patient also frequently sees small specks moving or circulating in front of their eyes, especially after moving into relatively darker surroundings after a long period of exposure to direct sunlight.
In fact, regular and prolonged exposure to the sun is believed to be the chief stimulant of this condition. The problem generally intensifies with advancing age, as the eye tissues become weaker with age and mechanical pressure is created on the photoreceptor cells in the retina, causing false sensations of light. Though eye floaters cure are usually only an irritating problem rather than a serious disorder, they can sometimes be indicators of retinal detachment, high blood pressure, a kind of eye inflammation called uveitus and internal hemorrhage due to diabetes. In a few extreme cases, surgery is recommended as a remedial measure.