Eye floaters are tiny patches of vitreous (a jelly-like substance in the eyes) that drift about when a person moves their eyes. Floaters in the eyes can appear as black or grey specks or even look like cobwebs. Although growing age is a common cause of eye floaters, they can also be caused by a range of other illnesses. Continue reading to find out more about eye floaters and how to get rid of them naturally.
Home Remedies To Treat Eye Floaters
1. Beetroot Juice
Beetroots are rich in active compounds called carotenoids (1). Carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin are necessary components for macular and retinal health (2). Hence, beetroot may help in treating eye disease like eye floaters. Fresh beetroot juice Drink a glass of fresh beetroot juice. Do this 2 times a day.
2. Vitamins
Vitamins play an important role in maintaining a healthy vision. Vitamin A improves eyesight (3). Vitamin C supports the formation of collagen and is necessary for stronger retinal capillaries and eye tissues (4). Hence, vitamin A and vitamin C may help in treating eye floaters. Foods rich in vitamins A and C (carrots, spinach, kale, citrus fruits, eggs, and butter) Consume these foods. Do this regularly.
3. Castor Oil
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid that alleviates inflammation (5). Hence, castor oil may help in improving the symptoms of eye floaters by reducing inflammation. Ensure the oil you are using is of high quality and free of impurities, as low-grade oil applied to the eyes may lead to irritation. Organic castor oil Do this once a day, preferably before bedtime.
4. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense oil possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties (6). Hence, it may help in reversing retinal cell degradation and damage. This may help in treating eye floaters. Frankincense oil Do this 1-2 times a day.
5. Green Tea
Green tea is abundant in antioxidants and may help in improving vision by strengthening the retinal tissues (7).
1 teaspoon of green tea 1 cup of water Honey
Do this 3 times a day.
6. Omega-3 Supplements
Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that possess anti-inflammatory properties (8). They reduce inflammation in eyes to a great extent (9). Hence, omega-3s may be one of the best remedies to treat eye floaters. 1000 mg omega-3 supplements Consume 1000 mg omega-3 supplements after consulting your doctor. Do this once a day.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants (10). These work great in repairing degenerative macular and retinal tissues. This may help in treating eye floaters.
1/2 lemon 1 glass of water Honey
Do this 3-4 times a day.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (11). It may reduce inflammation in the retinal tissues and protect the eyes from oxidative stress. Hence, apple cider vinegar may be a good option for treating eye floaters.
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup of warm water Cotton pads
Do this 1-2 times a day.
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids help in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress caused by free radicals (12). Hence, it may aid in repairing retinal and macular tissues and reduce eye floaters. Coconut oil Do this 1-2 times a day.
10. Carrot Juice
Carrots are rich in antioxidants and vitamin A (13). Hence, regular intake of carrots may provide the required nutrient to the eyes. This may help get rid of various eye conditions like eye floaters. Freshly extracted carrot juice Consume a cup of fresh carrot juice. Do this once a day.
11. Flaxseed Oil
Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (14). Omega-3 fatty acids are great for promoting eye health. Hence, flaxseed oil may help in treating eye floaters. Flaxseed oil Do this 1-2 times a day.
12. Goji Berries
Goji berries contain zeaxanthin (15). It is an antioxidant that is necessary for the proper functioning of the eyes. Hence, regular consumption of goji berries may help in treating the condition. 1/4 cup of dried goji berries Consume one-fourth cup of dried goji berries. Do this once a day.
13. Grape Seed Extract
Grape seeds contain oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) (16). These OPCs exhibit powerful antioxidant properties. Hence, grape seeds may aid in treating eye floaters. Grape seed supplements Consume 100 mg of grape seed supplements after consulting your doctor. Do this 2 to 3 times a day or as specified by your doctor.
14. Garlic
Garlic possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (17). These therapeutic properties of garlic may help in repairing the damaged eye tissues that may lead to eye floaters. Minced garlic cloves Do this daily.
15. Ginger
Gingerol is an important component of ginger. This compound exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (18). These help in reducing damage due to oxidative stress and combats inflammation in the eyes.
1-2 inches of grated ginger 1 cup of water Honey
Do this 3-4 times a day.
16. Ghee
Ghee is an age-old Ayurvedic remedy to restore the health of the eyes. This treatment is referred to as netra basti and is believed to be great for eye floater treatment. However, there is no scientific research to back this claim. 1/4 cup of ghee Note: This procedure can be a little messy and is best done in the bathroom. Do this once every alternate night.
17. Amla Juice
Amla exhibits antioxidant properties (19). This is due to the vitamin C present in it. These properties may help in repairing the damages to eye tissues.
Amla juice 1 cup of water Honey
Do this once a day.
18. Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera exhibits rich antioxidant properties (20). These antioxidant properties may repair damaged tissues in the eye (21). They may also aid in the recovery of eye floaters. 1 cup of aloe vera juice Do this once a day.
19. Onion
Onion contains quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant (22). Quercetin is helpful in treating various eye diseases (23). Hence, onions may help in treating eye floaters. Onion Consume the sliced pieces of onion regularly. Do this 2 times a day.
20. Rose Water
Rose water possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (24). These properties may help in healing damaged eye tissues and inflammation within the eye cells that causes eye floaters. Rose water Do this 3-4 times a day. While natural remedies may help in combating eye floaters, they may not help in preventing their recurrence. The following are some tips to follow to prevent the recurrence of eye floaters.
Prevention Tips
Use sunglasses to protect the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. Avoid straining the eyes. Follow a healthy diet. Do eye exercises. Practice yoga. Drink lots of water.
Although eye floaters are often a result of advancing age, a few other factors may cause them. They are listed below.
What Causes Eye Floaters?
Age-related changes in your eyes Inflamed eyes Bleeding from the eyes Torn retina Certain eye medications and/or surgery Medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and injuries Nearsightedness
Signs And Symptoms Of Eye Floaters
Small dark specks or strings floating in the field of vision Spots in the field of vision that are visible when looking at plain and bright backgrounds.
Eye floaters are classified into different types, depending on their shape. There are mainly five types of eye floaters and are discussed below.
Types Of Eye Floaters
(i) Fibrous Strands: Fibrous strands in the field of vision are the most common (and harmless) type of eye floaters. Fibrous shapes are a result of collagen breakdown. (ii) Cloud-Like Floaters: Cloud-like floaters are diffused and less defined than the fibrous strands. The natural aging process leads to the visibility of such floaters. (iii) Weiss Rings: Weiss rings are larger floaters that are ring-shaped. They are often formed when the vitreous tissue surrounding the optic nerve detaches itself. (iv) Flashes Of Light: These are not exactly eye floaters. However, one can see flashes of light when the vitreous membrane stimulates the retina during its detachment. (v) Dots: Dots or specks appear in the line of vision when there’s a tear in the retina. The tear may have caused blood to leak into the vitreous membrane, causing the visible dots. Maintaining a healthy diet is important to enhance the health of the eyes. Given below is a list of foods that are best for accelerating recovery and preventing eye floaters.
Best Foods For Eye Floaters
Green leafy vegetables, like spinach and kale. Fish, like salmon, tuna, and sardines. Nuts rich in protein, like walnuts, pistachios, and almonds. Citrus fruits, like oranges, kiwis, and strawberries. Shellfish, like oysters.
Eye floaters may be annoying, but they usually clear up on their own. However, make sure to consult a doctor to rule out any serious underlying conditions and discuss appropriate treatment options as eye floaters may indicate pathological or physiological issues.
What are the best eye exercises for floaters? Exercises like blinking, breathing, meditating, as well as massaging the acupressure points around the eyes may help deal with eye floaters. How long do eye floaters last? Eye floaters may never disappear completely for some individuals. They, however, usually get smaller and are less noticeable in a few weeks or months. Can pineapple cure eye floaters? Yes. A Taiwanese study found that consuming pineapple may help reduce eye floaters and other vision-related complications. Researchers credited the pineapple enzyme “bromelain” as the reason the treatment is effective (25). Are eye floaters protein? Yes, protein and other wasted cell materials make up eye floaters.
