Tiny specks or strings that float into your field of vision.

Tiny specks or strings that float into your field of vision.

• A. Cataract
• B. Eye Floaters
• C. Conjunctivitis
• D. Astigmatism

Answer: (B)

Floating specks or strings in the field of vision are eye floaters. They come from tiny clumps or strands of the gel filling the back of the eye (the vitreous) that cast shadows on the retina as light passes through. You’ll often notice them when looking at bright, plain backgrounds, and they tend to drift with eye movements, sometimes seeming to dart away when you try to focus on them. Most floaters are harmless and common as we age or after certain eye changes, but a sudden increase in floaters—especially if they come with flashes of light or a shadow across part of the vision—can signal a retinal tear or detachment and needs prompt evaluation. Other conditions mentioned would affect vision differently: cataracts cause cloudy or hazy vision; conjunctivitis leads to redness and discharge; astigmatism causes blurred vision due to an irregular corneal shape. If these floaters are new or persistent, a comprehensive eye exam can ensure everything looks normal.

Floating specks or strings in the field of vision are eye floaters. They come from tiny clumps or strands of the gel filling the back of the eye (the vitreous) that cast shadows on the retina as light passes through. You’ll often notice them when looking at bright, plain backgrounds, and they tend to drift with eye movements, sometimes seeming to dart away when you try to focus on them. Most floaters are harmless and common as we age or after certain eye changes, but a sudden increase in floaters—especially if they come with flashes of light or a shadow across part of the vision—can signal a retinal tear or detachment and needs prompt evaluation. Other conditions mentioned would affect vision differently: cataracts cause cloudy or hazy vision; conjunctivitis leads to redness and discharge; astigmatism causes blurred vision due to an irregular corneal shape. If these floaters are new or persistent, a comprehensive eye exam can ensure everything looks normal.