Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Eye Floaters

2. Aging: A primary cause

One of the primary causes of eye floaters and flashes is age. The vitreous is the gel-like substance that fills the eyes. Normally, this liquid helps the eyes maintain their round shape and is mostly transparent. As the body ages, the vitreous begins to shrink. As it shrinks, it becomes more stringy, and these strings can cast shadows on the eyes, causing floaters. Within the vitreous are millions of fine fibers that attach to the retina. When the vitreous shrinks, the fibers pull on the retina and often detach, which can cause an increase in the number of floaters that a person sees.