Sooner or later in just about everyone, the vitreous begins to undergo a structural, degenerative change. Instead of staying a gel, it liquefies in a process termed syneresis and separates from the back portion of the eye. As it does so, the vitreous folds upon itself forming tiny clumps of condensed gel termed floaters . These floaters then move freely in the liquid portion of the vitreous and become visible when they drift within the line of sight.
Floaters appear as translucent specks or dots of various shapes and sizes.
They are more noticeable when looking at a bright backdrop such as the blue sky or a white wall. Floater in themselves are not serious, they tend to be just an annoyance. These tiny particles will always be there, but can in time float out of view or become less noticeable. As the eye moves and the attached vitreous tugs on the retina, a sensation of seeing a brief flash of light may occur. This flash may resemble a zig-zag of light much like that of a lightening streak.