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Black Line Like Worms Floaters In Eyes,watery Eyes,stressed,works On Computer
Question: I am 36 years old, male living in the US. I am phD student in computer science, so I work on the computer all day. I am seeing "floaters" in my eyes. They are black lines like worms. I have them since about 6 months now and they don't seem to go away. If anything, they seem to increase gradually. I saw an eye specialist here and he said eye pressure, etc. is good and that my eyes are generally fine and healthy. He said that I should be worried if I see flashes of light in the dark. My eyes water a lot these days and stressed out, especially when I work on the computer. I am wearing sunglasses to avoid the glare from the computer monitor at work. Any help appreciated.
Hi XXXXXXX
Floaters are clumps of cells or debris inside the vitreous humor (the clear jelly-like fluid in the eye). What you see as floating in front of your eyes is actually the shadows that these clumps cast on the retina.
Floaters generally decrease in size with time and become less bothersome. Unfortunately, there are no clinically proven methods to treat floaters.
Computer usage does not cause floaters to appear. However, computers are likely to cause eye-strain which may make the floaters more noticeable.
Your symptoms of excessive watering of eyes may be due to computer related eye strain. Some recommendations to minimize eye strain when using computers are:
Use a big monitor
Ensure that your computer screen is sufficiently bright
Position your monitor slightly above your eye level such that you look down at the screen
Ensure that there is adequate lighting
Look away from the screen at frequent intervals so that your eyes focus on some distant object.
You should consult your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Appearance of new floaters or showers of floaters
Increase in size of existing floaters
Sudden flashes of light
Loss of side vision
Hope I have answered your query. I will be available if you have any further queries.
Floaters are clumps of cells or debris inside the vitreous humor (the clear jelly-like fluid in the eye). What you see as floating in front of your eyes is actually the shadows that these clumps cast on the retina.
Floaters generally decrease in size with time and become less bothersome. Unfortunately, there are no clinically proven methods to treat floaters.
Computer usage does not cause floaters to appear. However, computers are likely to cause eye-strain which may make the floaters more noticeable.
Your symptoms of excessive watering of eyes may be due to computer related eye strain. Some recommendations to minimize eye strain when using computers are:
Use a big monitor
Ensure that your computer screen is sufficiently bright
Position your monitor slightly above your eye level such that you look down at the screen
Ensure that there is adequate lighting
Look away from the screen at frequent intervals so that your eyes focus on some distant object.
You should consult your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Appearance of new floaters or showers of floaters
Increase in size of existing floaters
Sudden flashes of light
Loss of side vision
Hope I have answered your query. I will be available if you have any further queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
XXXXXXX
Thanks for your quick reply. I appreciate it.
When you said:
"Position your monitor slightly above your eye level such that you look down at the screen"
I assume you meant "slightly below" instead of "slightly above", right?
Ok, here's my follow-up question:
I don't know if I see any new floaters than I did a couple months back, but I know that they do look more prominent and more present now (maybe because of the knowledge I have). Also, as I run my eyes across a source of light (like a tubelight), the floaters turn white in color (they are not transparent, 'coz I can't see through them). I definitely did not notice this 2 months back and I surely notice it now. I've tried running my eyes across different light sources with the same result.
Also, last night, for the first time, when I switched off the lights to go to bed, I saw very small bright strains of light in the dark for sometime. I could see them for a few seconds, after which they went away. I repeated a second time to get a similar result. But I did not see them the 3rd time round.
My question is: where am I headed to ? (I understand it may be a difficult question to answer... that's ok, just do your best!) I'm trying to see if there is anything I can do before the doctor pronounces that I need to undergo surgery (vitrectomy right?).
Also, how common is this among people in my age group? What are the chances of me going blind (I know this may sound a bit panicky, but hey you are my doctor here, aren't you?)
Thanks, XXXXXXX Have a good day!
Thanks for your quick reply. I appreciate it.
When you said:
"Position your monitor slightly above your eye level such that you look down at the screen"
I assume you meant "slightly below" instead of "slightly above", right?
Ok, here's my follow-up question:
I don't know if I see any new floaters than I did a couple months back, but I know that they do look more prominent and more present now (maybe because of the knowledge I have). Also, as I run my eyes across a source of light (like a tubelight), the floaters turn white in color (they are not transparent, 'coz I can't see through them). I definitely did not notice this 2 months back and I surely notice it now. I've tried running my eyes across different light sources with the same result.
Also, last night, for the first time, when I switched off the lights to go to bed, I saw very small bright strains of light in the dark for sometime. I could see them for a few seconds, after which they went away. I repeated a second time to get a similar result. But I did not see them the 3rd time round.
My question is: where am I headed to ? (I understand it may be a difficult question to answer... that's ok, just do your best!) I'm trying to see if there is anything I can do before the doctor pronounces that I need to undergo surgery (vitrectomy right?).
Also, how common is this among people in my age group? What are the chances of me going blind (I know this may sound a bit panicky, but hey you are my doctor here, aren't you?)
Thanks, XXXXXXX Have a good day!
Hi XXXXXXX
That's right. I meant to say "Position your monitor slightly below your eye level such that you look down at the screen".
It is quite likely that your floaters look more prominent now as you are more aware of them now than before.
Floaters are usually more noticeable in certain forms of lighting such as when looking at a bright source of light. And they do appear as opacities in the field of vision. So seeing them as white spots when looking at a light source does not seem to be a cause of worry.
Floaters are extremely common in adults. Its just that some people are more aware of them than others.
Floaters usually reduce in size with time. This may occur due to actual absorption of the floater. Alternatively, in most cases, the brain learns to ignore the floater so that it no longer bothers the patient. So, regarding where you are headed, you also have a good chance of reaching a point where your floaters will cease to bother you.
Vitrectomy is usually done in cases where there is a large amount of non-clearing debris in the eye. It will probably not be needed in your case. It is not likely that you will go blind either.
The only possible cause of concern seems to be the bright strains of light that you saw in the dark yesterday. If they persist, it is advisable to consult your ophthalmologist.
Wish you good health.
That's right. I meant to say "Position your monitor slightly below your eye level such that you look down at the screen".
It is quite likely that your floaters look more prominent now as you are more aware of them now than before.
Floaters are usually more noticeable in certain forms of lighting such as when looking at a bright source of light. And they do appear as opacities in the field of vision. So seeing them as white spots when looking at a light source does not seem to be a cause of worry.
Floaters are extremely common in adults. Its just that some people are more aware of them than others.
Floaters usually reduce in size with time. This may occur due to actual absorption of the floater. Alternatively, in most cases, the brain learns to ignore the floater so that it no longer bothers the patient. So, regarding where you are headed, you also have a good chance of reaching a point where your floaters will cease to bother you.
Vitrectomy is usually done in cases where there is a large amount of non-clearing debris in the eye. It will probably not be needed in your case. It is not likely that you will go blind either.
The only possible cause of concern seems to be the bright strains of light that you saw in the dark yesterday. If they persist, it is advisable to consult your ophthalmologist.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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