You’re reading. Then a tiny thread drifts across your vision. You blink. It’s still there. You swipe at the air. Nothing. Welcome to the world of eye floaters.

First, take a breath. Floaters happen to most people, especially as we get older. They often look like specks, squiggles, or cobwebs that move when your eyes move. They can feel annoying, but they usually don’t signal danger.

Next, understand why they show up. With age, the clear gel inside your eye slowly changes. It becomes more watery. It also pulls slightly away. As a result, small clumps can cast shadows on the retina. You notice those shadows as “floaters.”

However, some symptoms need fast attention. Call an eye doctor urgently, or seek emergency care, if you get floaters for the first time and they appear suddenly. Do the same if you also see flashes of light. Act quickly if the number of floaters rapidly increases. Also treat it as urgent if a dark “curtain” or shadow slides across your vision, or if you have eye pain, blurred vision, or floaters after an injury or surgery.

Meanwhile, if long-standing floaters simply bug you, try this. Look up and down a few times to shift the fluid and move them out of your line of sight.

Finally, support your eyes every day. Eat well. Avoid smoking. And keep regular eye checks.