You’ve probably seen them — those little wiggly lines that drift across your vision when you look at the sky. They appear out of nowhere, like faint threads or shadows that move when your eyes do. And if you’re over 45, you’ve likely noticed them more than once.

“People often think, ‘What on earth is happening to my eyes?’” says retinal specialist Dr. Steve Charles. “They don’t go away completely, but they do get less obvious with time.”

According to experts, eye floaters are tiny clumps of collagen inside the eye’s clear gel. Most of the time, they’re harmless — just part of the natural aging process. But sometimes, they can signal something more serious, like a retinal tear or detachment, especially if new floaters appear suddenly or are joined by flashes of light.

“It’s so important to see an optician when a floater first appears,” warns Dr. Daniel Polya.

So if you’ve noticed these little shapes lately, don’t panic — but don’t ignore them either. Our eyes tell quiet stories about what’s happening inside us.

Sometimes, a small blur isn’t just a blur — it’s your body whispering for attention.