Floaters....terrified

[Donjavon]

Ok so I've been having floaters ever since I started my junior year in high school…about 3 years ago and I'm 20 now but recently I've noticed that I've gotten more floaters and I'm terrified that throughout the years I'll get more floaters where I won't be able to function normally. I understand they're common and normal but even when I went to the eye doctor last week everything was fine. No retinal detachment , flashing lights, nada. I was trying to find out ways to prevent the additional floaters but he said there's no way you can prevent it. It happens. I'm trying to figure out why I'm getting floaters and what can I do to stop it. I'm so paranoid. I don't want to go blind. I constantly have to wear sunglasses and every time I look up in the sky I see them. Can floaters be caused from stress ? Anxiety , depression? I've been having a hard time this year but could that be a reason why I've seen more floaters ? I just want an understanding of this. I'm terrified. Thanks in advanced.

[JohnHaganMD]

Sometimes they settle to the bottom of the eye and are not visible anymore. Like those Christmas paperweights that have the snowman and the snowflakes that settle after being shaken.

I'm telling you again floaters don't make an eye go bad any more than grey hair makes your brain go bad

JCHMD

[Donjavon]

I read something that says that over time the floaters disappear..is that actually true ?
Another question..since floaters increase in numbers is it difficult to see or does it go away as well ? I just don't want my sight to go bad due to these floaters

[JohnHaganMD]

The brain and Eye have a mechanism called neuroadaptation.  For most people they learn to ignore the floaters, so most times I am unaware of the floaters. If I think about them or look for them by looking at the sky and moving my eyes I can always see them.  So the more you think and worry about the floaters the more you will see them.

Yes floaters have increased in number over the years

JCHMD

[Donjavon]

How do you cope with all those floaters ? And have you noticed an increase throughout the years ?

[JohnHaganMD]

Floaters are a normal part of the way the eye grows up and then grows old. Even at your age maybe 10-15% of people have floaters. They do not lead to blindness. There is no treatment to prevent them. I started having floaters about age 8.

Anxiety however makes floaters and for that matter many other annoying body symptoms much worse. There is excellent treatment for anxiety and depression. I would strongly recommend you see a psychiatrist for help and treatment for your mental state. You might wander over one of the anxiety forums also.

Best of luck. This is no way to go through life. Take action.

JCH MD