If you look up at the sky on a clear day, you may notice small spider web-like structures floating in your field of vision. They are known as floaters, or more formally, Muscae volitantes, which in Latin means “flying flies.”
Like regular flies, flies are also quite a nuisance, so it’s no wonder people want to get rid of them. A recent article in the Mirror, “Floaters: Their causes and how to get rid of them naturally” claims there is a solution.
In the article, general practitioner Sarah Brewer is quoted as saying that a supplement called Clearer, made by Theia Bio, is a “natural but effective solution to annoying floaters.” Despite the headline promise, Dr. Brewer doesn’t talk about removing floaters.
The Theia Bio website uses more accurate wording. It says: “Clearer contains a blend of antioxidants and anti-glycation micronutrients that has been scientifically shown to reduce the size and visual discomfort of floaters over a six-month period in approximately 70 percent of test subjects. has been proven.”
Before we consider the feasibility of supplements to “cope” with annoying floaters or reduce their size, let’s take a look at what floaters are and why they occur. Let’s see what it does.
The main cause of floaters is aging. As we age, the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance inside the eye, thickens and begins to shrink. The vitreous body is mainly composed of water, collagen, and an acid called hyaluronic acid. Over time, the vitreous degenerates slightly and small collagen clumps begin to form. Floaters are the shadows these clumps cast on the retina.
As we age, it is normal for the vitreous to detach from the back of the eye in a process called posterior vitreous detachment, which increases floaters.
Is it possible that vitamin supplements affect collagen clumps and chains to improve the vitreous?
In 2022, Taiwanese researchers reported that taking a high dose of mixed fruit enzyme supplements could reduce floaters, but it’s not clear how they measured the number of floaters. Therefore, it is difficult to judge this study properly without further information.
Theia Bio, the partner company Dr. Brewer was speaking at, lists a study on its website as scientific evidence that the Clearer supplement can “reduce the size and visual discomfort of floaters.” sharing a link to.
However, because the vitreous is mobile, measuring floaters is difficult. Every time you move your eyes, the vitreous opacities (objects floating in the vitreous) move, and the floaters (shadows cast by the vitreous opacities) also move.
Because vitreous masses are 3D rather than 2D, viewing them from different angles will affect the measurements, and floaters will appear larger when they are closer to the front of your eye. The reduction in opacity size in this study was based on only 26 people who ingested the formulation, and opacity size was reported in 2D measurements (cm²).
This small trial does not give us confidence that this dietary supplement can reduce the size of floaters.
What about other solutions?
There are several medical ways to get rid of floaters. The most accepted is a procedure called vitrectomy, in which the vitreous is surgically removed. However, this surgery poses far more serious risks to a person’s vision than the floaters themselves.
Using a laser (known as a YAG laser) to remove floaters is another option, but not all experts agree that this is safe. The worry is that some private companies are offering this treatment as a good solution, despite reports of damage to various eye structures and glaucoma as a result.
Other “solutions” suggested online include intermittent fasting, temple massage, acupressure, and eye exercises. However, there is no reliable evidence for these.
More generally, there is some evidence that lifestyle factors can accelerate or slow down eye aging, whether it’s the age at which you first notice floaters or how big they are or how much of a problem they are. It may affect the
For example, eating lots of carotenoid-rich vegetables (spinach, broccoli, watermelon, pink grapefruit) and fatty fish containing omega-3s may help people at risk for age-related macular degeneration.
There is also new evidence suggesting that excessive exposure to blue light from mobile phones, tablet computers, and LCD screens may also accelerate age-related eye changes. But while it’s great to slow eye aging, there’s no proof that it can prevent floaters.
So, what should you do if you are suffering from floaters? In most cases, your best bet is to ignore it. Over time, the brain adapts and we notice them less.
People who are nearsighted, have had cataract surgery, or have eye inflammation (swelling) are more likely to get floaters. Also, if you have diabetes, floaters may increase, so managing your blood sugar levels and diabetes is important.
In some cases, floaters can be a sign of a serious condition. If you suddenly notice a large number of new floaters or flashes, or if you notice shadows or gray curtains falling over your vision, this may indicate a retinal tear that requires emergency surgery. .
judgment
Can supplements “address” collagen clumps in the vitreous? There is little evidence to support this at this time.
Can supplements and lifestyle changes slow the aging process of the eyes and delay the onset of age-related floaters? Perhaps.
Dr. Brewer recommends a nutritious diet, hydration, and sleep, all great ways to stay healthy. Although it is doubtful whether it has a direct effect on floaters, it is good health advice in general and may slow down the eye aging process that causes floaters.
Kawa Wong, founder of Theia Bio, told The Conversation that the company “does not promise a cure for floaters; rather, based on the available scientific evidence, “We provide the best nutritional support for people.”
Charlotte Codina, Lecturer in Orthoptology, University of Sheffield
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A previous version of this article was published in July 2023.
