Many people notice small shapes drifting across their vision from time to time. These visual disturbances, commonly known as eye floaters, often appear as tiny spots, threads, or cobweb-like patterns. They may be especially noticeable when looking at bright surfaces such as a clear sky, a computer screen, or a white wall. While they can seem unusual, floaters are often a normal part of the aging process.
Inside the eye is a gel-like substance called the vitreous. As people grow older, this gel gradually changes and can become less uniform. Small fibers within the vitreous may clump together, creating tiny shadows on the retina. These shadows are what people perceive as floaters moving through their field of vision.