It can be bothersome when squiggly lines or rings randomly appear in your field of view. Though annoying, these lines or rings (called floaters) are usually benign and do not require medical treatment.
But if they don't need medical treatment, is there a way to reduce floaters in eyes naturally? While there are some natural treatments for eye floaters that you can try, most only work to reduce the irritation that comes with floaters rather than eliminating them completely.
“Natural remedies” for floaters simply involve changing day-to-day behavior, such as changing your diet and getting more sleep. Usually, learning to ignore floaters is just as effective as any “natural eye floater cure.”
Remedies you may consider for coping with floaters include:
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid eye drops are often used after eye surgery to reduce inflammation and help with the recovery process. It has also been used as over-the-counter dry eye treatment.
There are some claims that hyaluronic acid may help dissolve eye floaters naturally, though there isn’t much scientific evidence that supports this.
Consult an eye doctor before using hyaluronic acid eye drops to address floaters on your own.
Diet and nutrition
Though they may not target floaters specifically, some vitamins and supplements can support overall eye health. Some recommended supplements include:
Proper hydration and a healthful diet can also provide the necessary nutrients to support eye health.
SEE RELATED: How to choose eye and vision supplements
Rest and relaxation
If your body isn’t getting enough sleep or rest, it can cause stress on the eyes, and floaters may seem more apparent. Be sure to get an appropriate amount of sleep each night in order to prevent exhaustion.
If floaters cause general irritation, a cool or warm compress may be placed over the eyes to soothe them.
Protect your eyes from harsh light
Eye strain — especially from staring at a computer screen for long hours — can also make floaters more noticeable. Taking frequent breaks and limiting screen time can reduce your risk of digital eye strain, a condition that may increase your awareness of floaters.
Certain lighting can make you more aware of floaters as well. Be sure to dim indoor lights when they are too bright for your eyes or use lamps instead of overheads. On the contrary, if you're trying to read in a dimly lit room, you may need to increase the light to prevent eye strain.
If bright, outdoor environments seem to aggravate floaters, wearing sunglasses with proper ultraviolet (UV) protection is a good idea.
Floaters naturally fade on their own
Patience is a virtue. Floaters don’t necessarily disappear for good, but they will typically move out of your field of view or become less bothersome with time.
If your floaters don’t fade naturally, or if they increase dramatically or are accompanied by flashes of light, see an eye doctor immediately.
READ NEXT: Floaters may go away by themselves
Page published on Wednesday, October 7, 2020
FAQs
“Natural remedies” for floaters simply involve changing day-to-day behavior, such as changing your diet and getting more sleep. Usually, learning to ignore floaters is just as effective as any “natural eye floater cure.”
How do you dissolve eye floaters naturally? ›
“Natural remedies” for floaters simply involve changing day-to-day behavior, such as changing your diet and getting more sleep. Usually, learning to ignore floaters is just as effective as any “natural eye floater cure.”
Can drinking more water reduce eye floaters? ›
Drink enough water
The vitreous humour in your eyes is made of 98% of water. If you're constantly dehydrated, this gel-like substance can lose shape or shrink. This can lead to the occurrence of floaters because the proteins in this substance do not remain dissolved and thus, they solidify.
What are tricks for eye floaters? ›
Dealing With Eye Floaters
- Roll your eye around. If you notice a floater, shift your eye up and down or side to side to try to move the floater and find relief.
- Try a dietary supplement. ...
- This is one of the most effective ways to rid yourself of eye floaters. ...
- Do nothing. ...
- Schedule an eye exam.
You do not necessarily have to live with them. The in-office procedure is called “Laser Floater Treatment” (LFT) or Laser Vitreolysis. Using the FDA approved Ellex Ultra Q Reflex Laser, the procedure neither removes nor fragments your floaters, but vaporizes them into gas bubbles.
What vitamin gets rid of floaters? ›
Ginkgo biloba, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc are recommended by dieticians and natural medicine advocates for improving blood flow and promoting better vision, and this may be a tool to mitigate the presence of floaters.
What clears up eye floaters? ›
Eye floaters don't normally go away, but they don't usually need treatment. If your eye floaters are bothering you, there are two types of possible treatment: surgery to remove the floater and laser treatment.
Are there any eye drops for floaters? ›
Can Eye Drops Help with Flashes and Floaters? No, eye drops can only help with eye irritation, dry eye, and to lower intraocular pressure to treat glaucoma. Both floaters and flashes occur inside the eye, so eye drops cannot affect them.
What stops floaters? ›
Options may include surgery to remove the vitreous or a laser to disrupt the floaters, although both procedures are rarely done. Surgery to remove the vitreous. An ophthalmologist who is a specialist in retina and vitreous surgery removes the vitreous through a small incision (vitrectomy).
Does lemon water help with eye floaters? ›
Lemons are abundant in vitamin C and antioxidants which repair degenerative macular and retinal tissues, that lead to eye floaters. You can squeeze that lemon in the glass of water and add some honey to it. Then, consume that magical drink.
Eye floater treatments
If you're living with persistent eye floaters, there are some steps you can take to help calm the symptoms. Massaging your temples or eye exercises: by generating heat or doing eye exercises like moving your eyes in circles, you may be able to stave off some stubborn floaters.
What makes eye floaters worse? ›
However, if the vitreous separates from the retina more suddenly, you may experience a sudden increase in eye floaters. A “shower” of floaters can also occur when there is bleeding or inflammation at the back of the eye from trauma, infection, or a disease such as diabetes.
Can pineapple cure eye floaters? ›
Pineapples contain vitamin C, i.e. “an antioxidant that can inhibit lens oxidation and prevent cataracts.” On the one hand, it is unlikely that any food can prevent cataracts or even eye floaters. There is no panacea.
How to break up eye floaters? ›
3 ways to get rid of eye floaters
- Ignore them. Sometimes the best treatment is nothing at all. ...
- Vitrectomy. A vitrectomy is an invasive surgery that can remove eye floaters from your line of vision. ...
- Laser therapy. Laser therapy involves aiming lasers at the eye floaters.
Eye exercises can help strengthen your eye muscles and improve your vision. They can also help manage and prevent symptoms of flashes and floaters. For instance, the "20-20-20" rule recommends that every 20 minutes, you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
What improves floaters? ›
For mild eye floaters, you can try moving your eyes up and down to shift them out of your field of vision. You can also filter bright lights in your home or work environment. If needed, you can get rid of floaters through vitrectomy, a surgery that replaces the vitreous in your eye.
What breaks down floaters? ›
An ophthalmologist aims a special laser at the floaters in the vitreous (vitreolysis). This may break up the floaters and make them less noticeable. Some people who have this treatment report improved vision; others notice little or no difference.
What eye drops are good for floaters? ›
Atropine eye drops, which slightly dilate the pupil, can make floaters less visible.
What foods get rid of floaters? ›
Nutrients found in vegetables and proteins — such as lutein and omega-3 fatty acids — can help prevent vision problems and reduce your risk of macular degeneration. Consider incorporating leafy greens, salmon, and citrus fruits into your diet.
