The first time I noticed that I had floaters was when I was pregnant with my first child 7 years ago. There was some info I read that pregnancy made your vision different/worse, so I figured that’s what it was. After I had the baby the floaters persisted and actually got worse. I notice them all the time (especially in bright lights or when I look at the sky) and it’s funny (or not, actually) you mention anxiety about it because I think that it has made me anxoius because I will see these floaters and confuse it with thinking I’m about to pass out or something because the visual of teh floaters is kinda similar to when you stand up real quick and get a head rush and see spots for a second. Do you ever get the sensation with floaters that reminds you of this? Like I’ll be sitting there watching tv, notice a lot of activity in my vision and then I’ll kinda freak out about it. Of course I never pass out or anything and assume it’s just the floaters and eventually move on, but it freaks me out. If I’m looking into the sky and it’s bright, it kinda resembles little hairs moving around or something, right?
Nicole (also in Houston area)

I am glad someone like you puts proper information on the internet. There are so many “snake oil” vendors around who give out incorrect information.

I’ve been plagued with them on and off for years. My Mother was told to just ignore them and they do seem to go away after some time. I do not know if they ever really “go”, or you just stop noticing them after a while. Either way, it seem like the more you bother about them the more they will bother you. By all means get them checked out, as it can be a very serious sign as you quite rightly say. Once you have had them diagnosed though, the annoyance factor of them is incredible - Like a chip on new paintwork, your attention always seems drawn to it.

Sorry to anyone reading this who is pestered with them, there is no magic cure, you just have to try not to concentrate on them, if such a thing is possible.

I had a very sudden onset of these pesty floaters two years ago when I was 26. They were caused by an anti-biotic called Cipro. There are hundreds of people who all have had the same reaction to this drug, but floater are only one of many many serious side-effects of this type of flouroquinoline medication. In fact some of the early strains were banned due to their terrible side effects.

Anyway I see dozens in each eye, in all lights and backgrounds unless it is dark. I still see them in the dark if there is a light on or candel lit as they wizz passed the light and show-up again. They are annoying but at least we can still actually see the world and arn’t totally blinded

hi

Thanks for relaying what your eye doctor said about floaters. Although it is scary and depressing, it is better to know.

I’m nearsighted, and the funny thing is when I put on my glasses the floaters get more in focus.
My friend’s mother can hardly see any more because of a detaching retina. Her doctor told her to take Eye Caps, so I have been taking half the dose just incase.

Because a floater in one of my eyes gets in the way while I read at the computer monitor; I started using Infovox iVox for speech. I listen to it read while I go about my other tasks on the computer. The voices they have sound pretty natural and not like aliens.

I’m glad I found this. I need advice, I have very bad vision and I wear glasses all day besides when I sleep because without them I cant see anything clear farther then a foot away. 2 days ago I noticed I have floaters and I see them all the time in school because of the bright lights there. My eyes have been feeling very tired because I don’t get much sleep. I am now reading about something called retinal detachment and I have every sign besides the flashes that last a long time and I don’t think I ever even have flashes, I am not sure though but almost positive I don’t. I’m only 16 and I’m very afraid and nervous, please tell me if it’s ok or if it is happening to me. Someone please help me and tell me what’s going on!

Hi,
My floaters appeared after I was given Cipro. This all started April 2006. I was given Cipro for a simple UTI, I was 36 years old. I was dizzy for three and half weeks, vertigo, nausea, then the ear pressure, spots in left eye, flashes in left eye, short term memory loss, horrible dreams, weak wrists and knees, massive floaters headaches, ears ringing, dry eyes, itching all over, rashes, insomnia, dark spots in left eye, eye pain, blurred vision, sensitive to sound, vitreous detachment happened in left eye and now happening with the right eye. I have filed a complaint with Med Watch, those of you that have taken Cipro and have the eye problems should file a complaint. The Doctor said I would get used to them, they would fall out of view. I’m not used to them and they have not fallen out of view. It’s been 2 years almost. It’s hard to wake up each day, my eyes are full of spots, floaters, sensitive to light, reading, night vision. My life was instantly and drastically changed. I wish you all the best with these floaters.

Thank you,
GS

I also have floaters after cipro. Not only floaters, but alos pressure headaches, nausea, intracranial hypertension , bone/joint weakness, collagen problems and others.

Never take CIPRO. It is A VERY DANGEROUS ANTIBIOTIC.

I lost my job, cant exercise again in my life (made my living from basketball) and stopped my studies.

THANKS ALOT CIPRO THANKS ALOT BAYER- I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL

i also suffer from eye floaters,i avoid going outside i also get flashes in my eye,i do not wan’t to get surgery either.but i am so depressed because i am not use to these annoying things.it is worse when i am tired.someone had said in time they go away is that true?i am at a breaking point i feel like i am alone.people think i am going crazy ,it is nice to know i am not alone,tonya

I own a computer consulting company and a valued employee at one of my customers has been diagnosed with floaters. His job requires him to be in front of the computer all day and I’d appreciate any advice anyone can give about what monitor and setup would best reduce his symptoms. Is an LCD monitor the best way to go? How about antiglare, etc… The floaters are small and not stopping him from reading the screen, but there are a lot of them.

You can email me directly at plaflamme@centrend.com

Thank you,

Paul

I first noticed my floaters after waking up from general anesthetic for a wisdom tooth extraction. I have them in both eyes and what I find most frustrating about them is that they can ruin a beautiful sunny day…when you look up at a nice blue sky and see dozens of shaded shapes its pretty annoying.

I tend to look forward to the darker gray sky days of fall and watch movies in near darkness. I generally prefer low light conditions because of the floaters. I have been to two eye doctors and they both basically say “live with it”…easy for them to say or we wouldn’t be here.

G. West,

You lit so many bulbs in my mind right now.

I’ve had floaters in both eyes for so long that I can’t remember when they started. But, what strikes me is that I also had a general anesthetic for a wisdom tooth extraction. I can’t, for the life of me, remember if they appeared after or before that. I had the surgery in my early teens.

I also dislike bright days and well lit rooms but I never made a connection with the condition. It may be that I’m unconsciously avoiding seeing them. I learned to live with the condition so long ago…

All doctors I’ve gone to, in different countries, say the same thing. That there is nothing wrong with my retina and to just live with it.

I have been plagued with floaters for about 10 years. Started out as only one small strand that i was aware of maybe once or twice a week, but over the years the floaters have proliferated and become dense. I am now aware of them constantly.
I have done a lot of research, but this is the first I heard about the connection with Cipro … the timing seems about right for when my floaters started.
I seem to be on a 3 month cycle … every three months, just as I am feeling that I am acclimating somewhat to the floaters I have, I suddenly get a bunch more, and/or the ones I have get more pronounced.
Like everyone else, doctors have told me that my eyes and retina are healthy and to get used to the floaters One doctor even tried to tell me that they would go away with time. Right! For the most part, eye doctors have been insensitive to the challenges of floaters and seem dismissive that I even brought the subject up. I spoke with one specialist about the vitroectomy. He was very indifferent, abrupt, and insensitive … even arrogant. After he explained about sticking needles in my eyes (typically an analogy for a fate worse than death), he just told me to make an appointment with his nurse and abruptly left the office. Three minutes at most and no chance for any questions. Sure made me want to give it a try.
Some strange observations … one day four years ago, for the whole day, the floaters were completely gone. Completely clear vision. The next morning, they were back. But for one day, I had NO floaters. Doctors have been sceptical at best. One even tried to tell me that gravity must have been working differently that day.
I also find that if I go “bugeye” the floaters will become less visible for a few moments. Helps when I need to focus on a detail quickly. I recently have also noticed that if I press moderately on one or both of my temples, the floaters become less visible. I find myself doing that while watching TV and get a much clearer view.
Has anyone else noticed that phenomenon?
I am tired of these things and at some point I am sure I will have needles stuck in my eyes given how progressive this has been. Anyone have any experience with specialists at the Wills Eye Institue in Philly? I live near Philly and would have no one less than a Wills Eye doc stick needles in my eyes!

I work in publishing and look at white paper/black type 7 hours a day for a living. Then add in reading for pleasure, staring at a computer screen—reading is a major part of my life.

My floaters started occurring approximately ten years ago. I had my eyes checked last year, and yep, same deal with me: There’s nothing horribly wrong with my eyes, you just have to get used to them and living with it.

I’ve found a particular shade of light grey sunglasses that I use nearly everyday. Somehow, the tint/color minimizes me noticing the floaters. Note, I STILL see some of them—the sunglasses aren’t a cure-all. But the tint definitely helps me.

Maybe those of you with floaters might want to just check some sunglasses and see if any tint helps you too. Mine is a light grey.

I have had floaters that I have been aware of for several years now, but I recently google searched floaters and found this blog because I have a couple now that are DRIVING ME NUTS! Everytime I look at a computer scree, here they come, floating down smack dab in the center of my field of vision. I want to reach into my eyes and pluck them out. I will consider trying the sunglasses. Thanks for the advice.