Skip to main content

Main menu

  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Our Team
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Health and Economic Impact
    • Research Impact Video
    • Strategic Plan
  • Our Research
    • Research Focus
      • Brain Health
      • Cancer
      • Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence
      • Heart Health
      • Healthy Aging and Mobility
      • Immune System
      • Injury and Rehabilitation
      • Lung Health
      • Mental Health and Substance Use
    • Research Centres and Programs
      • BC Centre on Substance Use
      • Centre for Aging SMART
      • Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation
      • Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation
      • Centre for Lung Health
      • Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
      • Immunity and Infection Research Centre
      • International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries
      • M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences
      • Ovarian Cancer Research Centre
      • Community Research Program
      • Emergency Medicine Research Program
      • Hematology Research Program
      • Skin Research Program
      • Other Research Focus Areas
    • News and Stories
    • Researcher Directory
    • Events and Workshops
  • Research Services
    • New to VCHRI
      • Working at VCHRI
      • Regulations and Training
      • Membership with VCHRI
      • Learning and Development
    • Starting Your Project
      • Research Facilitation
      • Awards and Funding
      • Grant Management
      • Operational Approval
      • CST Cerner
    • Developing Your Project
      • Clinical Trials Administration
      • Clinical Research Unit
      • Research Privacy
      • Financial Policies and Procedures
    • Additional Support
      • Indigenous Health Research Unit
      • VCH-VCHRI AI Hub
      • Communications and Media Relations
      • Study Recruitment Support
      • Innovation and Industry Partnership
    • Internal Awards
    • Clinical Research
    • Indigenous Research
  • Participate in Research
    • Reasons to Participate
    • Participant Stories
    • Find a Study
    • Recruitment Support

User menu

  • Log in

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Our Research
  3. News and Stories
  4. Ask an expert: Should I be worried about the floaters in my eyes?

Ask an expert: Should I be worried about the floaters in my eyes?

Sep 5, 2017 3 minutes

Ophthalmologist Dr. Patrick Ma dispels some commonly held myths and explains what we can do to keep our eyes healthy in a technology-driven world.

Between work, everyday communication and Netflix, most of us stare at computer and smart phone screens for hours each day. What impact does all this screen-time have on our eyesight? 

Q: I often see semi-transparent specs floating across my field of vision—does this mean I have an eyesight problem?
A:
The short answer is no. The semi-transparent shapes in our in our field of vision, often called eye floaters, appear with the natural aging of the eye—when vitreous gel in our eyes degenerates. These floaters are more common for people with short-sightedness, also known as myopia, and become increasingly common as people get into their late-20s and 30s. However, if someone develops a lot of eye floaters very suddenly, this could be a sign of retinal detachment and should be addressed right away.

Q: I spend almost one-third of my day in front of a computer and I seem to have lots of floaters in both eyes that do not disappear. What can I do?
A:
Almost all of us have eye floaters under certain lighting conditions. They are most obvious when looking at a bright or white surface. Unfortunately, eye floaters can be a real nuisance in work environments with very bright computer screens or backlighting. The best solution in these circumstances is to turn down the brightness on your computer monitor and eliminate sources of glare, such as from a window or bright lighting.

Q: Do our eyes need breaks?
A:
Eye fatigue varies from individual to individual and can be related to whether or not someone is wearing proper glasses or has a comfortable working environment. Because the distance to a computer screen is almost double that of a book held in your hands, which we call an intermediate distance, proper computer or occupation glasses—including prescriptions for bifocals—should be worn when working at a computer if you need them. A dry feeling in the eyes, a dusty environment, improper prescriptions and/or a computer configuration that contributes to neck, head and back strain, can all result in individuals needing to take more frequent breaks from screens. However, our eyes are designed to be used—if your posture and physical capabilities are good, it should not be straining to look at a computer.

Q: What can we do to ensure our eyes stay healthy?
A:
I would recommend taking eye and movement breaks from a fixed task. If you sit and do one thing for an extended period of time, you should take breaks for posture and eye relief—such as getting up and walking around—at least every hour for at least five minutes at a time. Eating a healthy diet with lots of green and coloured vegetables is also good for the eyes and vision, along with avoiding a lot of dehydrating caffeinated products, which can dry out the eyes. 

Dr. Patrick Ma is a Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher and clinical professor at the Department of Ophthalmology at UBC. Initially trained as an optometrist, Dr. Ma completed a residency in ophthalmology in Ottawa and a sub-specialty retinal fellowship in New Orleans. Dr. Ma’s expertise and research is in the medical and surgical management of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, pathologic myopia, retinal vein occlusions, uveitis, paediatric vitreo-retinal diseases and complex retinal detachments. 

When to get an eye exam

  • People who wear glasses: every two years
  • People over 40 years of age: every year
  • People under 40 who do not have eye problems or wear glasses: every five years

 

Researchers

Patrick Ma

Related Articles

Behind the lab doors: Eye Care Centre

Novel AI model explains retinal sex difference

Transformative treatment for wet, age-related macular degeneration

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Email

Get the latest research headlines in your inbox

Subscribe

Recent News and Stories

Type
Announcement

Celebrating the life and distinguished career of Dr. Marcel Dvorak

May 14, 2025
Type
Stories

More equitable representation needed in Parkinson’s research

May 9, 2025 parkinsons, patient engagement, women
Type
Stories

Gamified stroke recovery improves arm function

May 8, 2025 stroke, rehabilitation
See more news

Get updates!

Join our newsletter mailing list to stay up to date on features and releases.

Subscribe

Quick Links

  • News and Stories
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Media Enquiries

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • YouTube

© 2025 VCHRI. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy