Eye floaters — the small spots, threads or shapes that drift through your vision — are very common and often harmless. Most people don't need medical treatment for floaters, but they can be distracting or annoying.
While it's hard to remove eye floaters completely, there may be ways to help them become less noticeable.
Here's what current research says about several floater remedies:
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid eye drops are often used after eye surgery to reduce inflammation and help with the recovery process. It has also been used as over-the-counter dry eye treatment.
While there may be a connection between eye floaters and the hyaluronic acid already in your body, there is no scientific evidence that hyaluronic acid eye drops or supplements reduce floaters or make them less noticeable.
Consult an eye doctor before using hyaluronic acid or any other eye drops or supplements to address floaters on your own.
Diet and nutrition
Though they may not target floaters specifically, getting enough nutrients in your diet can help support overall eye health. Some of these nutrients are:
- Zinc
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamins A, C and E
Proper hydration and a healthful diet can also provide the necessary nutrients to support eye health. However, so far, dietary changes have not been proven to reduce or remove floaters.
SEE RELATED: How to choose eye and vision supplements
Rest and relaxation
If your body isn’t getting enough sleep or rest, it can cause stress on the eyes, which could make floaters seem more apparent. Be sure to get an appropriate amount of sleep each night to help prevent exhaustion.
If floaters cause general irritation, consider placing a cool or warm compress over the eyes to soothe them. While this may help relieve some tension, it won't affect the eye floaters themselves.
Protect your eyes from harsh light
Eye strain — especially from staring at a computer screen for long hours — won't cause floaters, but it may make them more noticeable. Taking frequent breaks and limiting screen time can reduce your risk of digital eye strain, a condition that may increase your awareness of floaters.
Certain lighting can make you more aware of floaters as well. Consider dimming indoor lights when they are too bright for your eyes or trying lamps instead of overheads. On the contrary, if you're trying to read in a dimly lit room, you may need to increase the light to prevent eye strain.
If bright, outdoor environments seem to aggravate floaters, wearing sunglasses with proper ultraviolet (UV) protection could also make them less noticeable.
Floaters naturally fade on their own
Patience is a virtue. Floaters don’t necessarily disappear for good, but they often move out of your field of view or become less noticeable over time. Talk to an eye doctor if your floaters bother you or interfere with your daily life.
If your floaters increase dramatically, or are accompanied by flashes of light or a shadow over part of your view, see an eye doctor immediately.
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