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Is Floaters A Sign Of Cataract?
Lately, mostly at night, I have been seeing what looks like a crecsent moon on the left side of my left eye. It seems to happen mostly at night and after I blink a few times. It also happens if I look downward with my left eye and then when I look up normally again, it is there. As I said, it mostly happens at night before bedtime. Could this be a sign of cataracts? I plan on making an appointment for an eye exam, but when this notice came up, I thought I would ask. Thank you for taking the time to read my email. Lucille Also, I do have floaters more in my left ey than the right. Again, thank you.
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 24 Mar 2014
Answered on
Tue, 25 Mar 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello
It seems from the history that you are having floaters. Floaters are not caused by cataract. They are because of opacities behind the lens in the vitreous.
Floaters are common in elderly individuals and are because of vitreous degenerations.
Floaters by themselves does not require any treatment, but a sudden increase in floaters or association with flashes of light requires evaluation to rule retinal tear.
Thank you
It seems from the history that you are having floaters. Floaters are not caused by cataract. They are because of opacities behind the lens in the vitreous.
Floaters are common in elderly individuals and are because of vitreous degenerations.
Floaters by themselves does not require any treatment, but a sudden increase in floaters or association with flashes of light requires evaluation to rule retinal tear.
Thank you
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