Sometimes I see shadows or cobwebs in my vision. Is that normal?

Those visual distractions are typically called “floaters” even by eyecare professionals, and they may be either completely normal or a sign of a serious eye emergency. Let me first describe what you are seeing and then tell you how to distinguish between normal and dangerous. The inside of the eye is almost completely filled with a clear gel called the vitreous, which is like colorless Jello. In childhood that gel is firm, but as time goes by the gel starts to break down and become more watery. As the gel breaks down portions of the gel clump together and create shadows or cobwebs in the eyes, which is what most people see as floaters. Eventually the gel becomes so weak it collapses entirely, which is also normal. The danger is when the gel pulls on other tissues inside the eye and causes a retinal tear or detachment. A retinal tear is usually accompanied by flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, and/or a haze that covers all or part of your vision in just one eye. So a few floaters that gradually get worse are likely normal, but if those floaters also occur with flashes of light or a haze over your vision then you should see your eye doctor immediately.

Visionary Eyecare Center, PLLC
www.visionary-eye.com
100 Country Club Dr., Suite 106
Hendersonville 615-824-4246