# Big black eye floater - what to do ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 25, 2002, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832 "2002-12-25T11:17:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trader\_of\_shots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trader\_of\_shots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trader_of_shots)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2002, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/1 "2002-12-25T11:17:30Z")
Good evening, I guess what i have is an eye floater in my left eye. Some days it is there otheres it isn’t. I am wondering if there is anyway to … remove it (diet / drugs) without invasive surgery I have had this now for two years … it was not caused by a poke to the eye that i know of i just woke up with it. I moves to different locations around my eye… i doesn;t hurt-- just distracting. How much of my vision is it affecting in my left eye ?.. If its on the right angle a maximum of 2% - usually it is not noticable. ---
**Author:** ![trader\_of\_shots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trader\_of\_shots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trader_of_shots)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2002, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/2 "2002-12-25T11:22:43Z")
Ooopps ignore this just noticed a similaur post covering it. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2002, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/3 "2002-12-25T11:26:07Z")
Go see an optometrist? ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/4 "2002-12-26T03:56:46Z")
trader, In my case, floaters led to a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. I really think you need to see an opthalmologist. Max. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Poto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ab992/32.png) [@Poto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poto)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/5 "2002-12-26T16:30:34Z")
The Wal Mart optometrist can give a quick inexpensive reply. I have one that I barely see at all, no big deal, but it does return from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/6 "2002-12-26T16:36:04Z")
I have floaters. Many floaters. Many, many floaters. A couple of big ones too. It is a minor irritant but only because I’m used to them. When I think about it, the more irritating it gets. I’ve seen/talked opthalmologists abut them. They are only really concerned if you get many of them all at once as it could mean damage/bleeding inside the eye. Otherwise, it’s tough luck pal. ☹☹☹ There is a method to get them out but all opthalmologists I’ve talked to greatly discourage the procedure as it can affect eyesight. My current one said a patient of her’s went against her advice and is now having problems. Now, if they could cure that and tinnitus… ☹☹☹☹☹ ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/7 "2002-12-26T16:37:30Z")
Oh, and on another cheerful note…they never go away. I’m 37 and have the same floaters I had in high school. Plus more. ☹☹☹☹☹ ---
**Author:** ![ILENSER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/977dab/32.png) [@ILENSER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ILENSER)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/8 "2002-12-27T01:48:35Z")
Go to the Opt shop near you ask them about Unisol Lens, its a light blue colored lens that makes the floater less noticeable. Ilenser… ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/9 "2002-12-27T15:05:11Z")
I started a thread on this last week: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152411](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152411) ---
**Author:** ![trader\_of\_shots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trader\_of\_shots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trader_of_shots)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/10 "2002-12-28T12:13:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andymurph64 \* > \*\*I have floaters. Many floaters. Many, many floaters. A couple of big ones too. > > It is a minor irritant but only because I’m used to them. When I think about it, the more irritating it gets. > > I’ve seen/talked opthalmologists abut them. They are only really concerned if you get many of them all at once as it could mean damage/bleeding inside the eye. > > Otherwise, it’s tough luck pal. ☹☹☹ > > There is a method to get them out but all opthalmologists I’ve talked to greatly discourage the procedure as it can affect eyesight. My current one said a patient of her’s went against her advice and is now having problems. > > Now, if they could cure that and tinnitus… ☹☹☹☹☹ \*\* Thanks mate i really apreciate your reply on this. ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/11 "2002-12-30T15:28:03Z")
Glad to here it Trader. I would still go see an opthamologist if I were you. ---
**Author:** ![Bob55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/12 "2002-12-30T16:16:11Z")
My wife (in 3rd year of optometry school) says floaters are normal in people 50+, and are only a problem if you see many at once, which could mean retinal detachment. ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-black-eye-floater-what-to-do/144832/13 "2002-12-30T16:19:44Z")
Bob, what if you had floaters in high school, and have some more at 37? When I hit 50, am I in trouble??