These shapes even run away quickly when we want to follow them with our eyes. When you rub your eyes in the hope that they will disappear, we see that they multiply even more.

The technical name of these substances, which are called “floating spots”, “linoleum” or “vitreous particles (floater)”, is “muscae volitantes” in Latin and means “flying flies”. Detection of floating objects is called myodysopsia. So what exactly are they and how are they formed?

Let’s clear the worries first, these are not tiny creatures sticking to our eyes or harmful substances like dust.

These are caused by the “imperfect” structure of the inner part of our eye. There are various small chemical particles on the path of the light entering our eyes. Those mysterious things we see are actually just their shadows.

These chemicals; Red blood cells in the gel-like vitreous fluid inside our eyes are clumps of protein or condensed pieces of tissue. 99% of them are liquid, 1% is solid.

The number of these substances may increase as you get older. This is because the vitreous fluid begins to become opaque, liquefy, and deteriorate. These substances can combine and grow more easily with the effect of this. Various deteriorations in the eye, side effects of some drugs can also cause this.

So why do they run fast when we follow them?

Normally, they drift slowly in the fluid inside our eyes, but since we activate the fluid when we make a rapid eye movement, these substances are also affected by speed. In fact, when we suddenly stop the eye movement, these substances filter a little more slowly and stop after a while. Sometimes they can split or unite, which is why they are thought to be living, but are inanimate matter.

The closer these floating dots are to the retina, the clearer they will appear.

We stated that we see shadows of matter, not itself. When we put our hand between a flashlight and a wall, the closer we get to the wall, the darker the shadow becomes. The clarity of these items also changes in a similar way with this situation.

We can see them more easily when we look at a very bright white surface, snow puddles on a sunny day, and the bright sky. It is important that the background viewed is smooth and monochromatic. Since the pupil will shrink in the light, the image will also become clearer.

If these images are too frequent and disturbing, you can consult a specialist, it may be a sign of serious diseases.

In the method called vitrectomy, these structures are removed with an absorber, and in the method called vitreolysis, laser treatment is applied.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4