“Are eye floaters normal in excessive sunlight?”
I see floaters, especially when I'm getting a lot of sun in my eyes. I don't really get what floaters are, but is it normal for them to be so prominent under the sun?
9 Answers
Floaters are more noticeable in bright sunlight.
Yes, floaters are more prevalent in sunlight. This is because they are shadows, and so they’re more easily seen in sunlight.
Floaters are a common symptom for many people and can increase in number over time. Floaters are cause by a degeneration and shrinking of the jelly in the back of the eye called the "vitreous." They are more common in people who are near-sighted as well as those over 50 years of age. Seeing them in bright light yet not in dim is very common and "textbook." Thankfully, most of the time the symptoms decrease over time. For those that don't, or if there are a number of new floaters suddenly, seeing an ophthalmologist is recommended.
Yes, floaters are more visible under certain lighting conditions, like looking at a big blue sky, or a well-lit white wall. New floaters should be checked. For an explanation of floaters, search the topic "vitreous detachment" or "vitreous syneresis."
Joseph F. Barakeh, DO, PhD
Joseph F. Barakeh, DO, PhD
Floaters are not normal. You should see an ophthalmologist.
Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
Jeffrey D. Gold, MD
Floaters are membraneous fragments or debris scattered in the vitreous cavity behind the lens and in front of the retina. They are usually benign, but can be annoying. They are highlighted in bright light which is why you see them in the bright sun. A few floaters are common and not a problem from a health standpoint of the eye, but if you get many all at once, you should see an ophthalmologist as that can indicate more serious problems.
They frequently are more noticable in bright light.
Individuals with floaters will visualize them in bright light, because the small pupil and bright background allows shadowing by the small particles that make up the actual vitreous floaters. The shadow appears to be larger than the actual particle.
Yes, floaters are more prominent under polarized light like looking into a clear blue sky. Suddenly greatly increased floaters may be associated with retinal detachments. See your doctor if that is the case.
