Have you ever noticed tiny specks, squiggly lines, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision? These are called eye floaters.

They’re especially noticeable against bright backgrounds like a clear sky or a white wall. As one person described, “they tend to drift away when you try to focus on them.”

Floaters form due to changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside your eyeball. As we age, the vitreous shrinks and clumps together, casting shadows on the retina. These shadows are what we see as floaters.

In most cases, floaters are harmless and a natural part of aging. Still, they can be annoying and may raise concerns if they suddenly increase.