Can Allergies Cause Eye Floaters?

While allergies themselves don’t cause eye floaters, some people do report vision changes during an acute allergic phase. These are more likely to be issues, such as blurring or cloudy vision. However, if inflammation is associated with an allergy—such as allergic conjunctivitis, then this could potentially cause floaters. 

The Link Between Inflammation and Eye Floaters

• Inflammation, eye floaters, and allergies
• Other causes of eye floaters

Inflammation, eye floaters, and allergies

Inflammation within the eye can be caused by multiple reasons. The already mentioned allergic conjunctivitis is one. Apart from trauma, uveitis is one of the other main culprits. This can be caused by autoimmune conditions, infection, and other inflammatory diseases. This inflammation can cause floaters.

Floaters are tiny, thickened collagen fibers within the vitreous (the jelly-like fluid that’s in the eye). They are permanent once formed. Regular allergies, such as hay fever, aren’t generally associated with permanent floaters. However, because the symptoms of allergies can cause excessive watering, redness, pain, itching, grittiness, blurring, and discharge, you might also experience what appears to be floaters. If you do, they’re likely to only be noticeable during the acute allergic phase.

Other causes of eye floaters

There are many other reasons that floaters might form. These include:

• Advancing age: The most common cause. The vitreous thickens and shrinks as we get older. The collagen fibers become thicker and cast shadows on the retina as light flows through the eye—and we see these as floaters.
• Bleeding within the eye: if blood loss occurs in the eye for any reason, the cells can appear as floaters. Bleeding could be caused by diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, retinal tears, retinal detachment, trauma, etc.
• Medication and surgery: Eye procedures that involve inserting silicon oil bubbles or other medications into the eye can cause you to see floaters. This is because air or oil bubbles form, disrupting the passage of light through the eye. They’re usually temporary and dissipate over a short time as they get absorbed by the vitreous.
• Torn retina: A torn or detached retina can cause the sudden appearance of new floaters. This might be accompanied by seeing flashes of light. Such an occurrence requires an urgent assessment from your eye doctor or, if that’s not possible, visit your nearest ED.

In general, floaters are benign and don’t tend to cause any major vision problems. There are times that they can be an indication of a more serious problem—just one of the reasons that you should undergo regular routine eye exams.

We mostly notice floaters during bright daylight or when looking at light surfaces, such as a computer screen. Because they float around in the vitreous, it’s impossible to focus on them. As you alter your gaze to look at them, they move just out of your direct line of sight. This is how they get their name, as they, quite literally, float within your vision.

Abnormally large or multiple floaters can be removed if they’re causing you an issue. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of them include:

• Being over 50 years of age
• Post-cataract surgery
• Having an eye injury
• Having a medical condition that causes damage to the blood vessels in the eyes
• Being nearsighted.

Floaters Bothering You? Get Them Removed at the West Boca Eye Center

Most of us live with some level of eye floaters. But if they’re an issue, then you’ll be delighted to know that it’s safe and easy to get rid of them. The clinical team at the WBEC can carry out a simple procedure in the doctor’s office and you’ll go home the same day. 

The treatment is known as YAG vitreolysis. 

Discover more at  https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/laser-floater-removal-surgery and call us today to schedule a consultation.

While allergies themselves don’t cause eye floaters, some people do report vision changes during an acute allergic phase.

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