Black dots and stripes before the eyes are common optical effects. The so-called front sights are especially well seen in the sky, snow, a bright screen, and an illuminated homogeneous surface. The reasons for their appearance may be insignificant: overwork, lack of vitamins or abuse of bad habits. But also black dots can be symptoms of serious pathologies of the organs of vision. If in the first case the flies often pass by themselves, then in the second case the help of a specialist is required.
What are flies
Black dots before the eyes are opacities that cast a shadow on the retina. Red blood cells, clots of protein molecules, particles of crystals and pigments can block the path of light. As noted above, these optical effects become most noticeable on a uniformly illuminated surface, such as a clear sky, snow cover, screencomputer monitor. Since the structure of the vitreous body is jelly-like, dense opacities float with eye movements.
Select "points" and "strings". The former are caused by the accumulation of pigments and hyalocyte cells. They may look like dots, rings, circles, spots with inaccurate outlines. Regardless of shape, flies remain relatively stable in size and shape. This is their main difference from temporary optical effects, which are caused by changes in blood pressure (for example, with a sharp change in body position), injuries during strong blows or falls.
Black threads before the eyes are the result of accumulations of connective tissue and deposits that take the form of sticks with branches. Like dots, they are stable in size and shape, in contrast to the so-called "sparkles". The latter are caused by the migration of leukocytes and erythrocytes. This is a harmless optical effect that appears when looking at a clear sky. Moreover, the white heads in the "sparkles" are leukocytes, and the dark "tails" are erythrocytes.
Destruction
The vitreous body is a transparent gelatinous mass that fills the eye just behind the lens. It is 99% water, and the remaining 1% is collagen, hyaluronic acid and other substances. Thanks to the “purity”, the vitreous in the normal state remains completely transparent, and nothing prevents the passage of light to the retina.
Under the influence of various factors, the composition of the mass changes,extraneous opaque substances appear. It can be connective tissue, drugs, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, leukocytes and other blood elements that refract light and cast a shadow on the retina. This is how a visual effect appears, which the townsfolk call black dots and threads, and doctors call it destructive changes in the vitreous body of the eye. Despite the scary name, serious medical and surgical treatment is rarely required, in most cases you can get rid of flies on your own by eliminating the main factors of their appearance.
Common Causes
There are many conditions that contribute to the appearance of black dots before the eyes. Often the reasons are temporary:
- Frequent and prolonged eye strain.
- Emotional turmoil, stress.
- Physical surge.
- Avitaminosis.
- Excessive drinking and smoking.
- High or low blood pressure.
In this case, the turbidity disappears by itself when the negative conditions are eliminated.
Hazards
There are more serious reasons for the appearance of black dots before the eyes:
- Impaired circulation of the brain.
- Spasms of vessels.
- The consequences of head and eye injuries.
- Stroke.
- Inflammatory processes.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Hypoxia (prolonged lack of oxygen).
- Diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
- Poisoning.
- Osteochondrosis.
- Internal bleeding.
When to See a Doctor
Black dots before the eyes can appear in everyone: young and old, people with good and bad eyesight. If in some cases the flies are caused by a simple overstrain, then in others they can be a symptom of serious diseases: retinal detachment, uveitis, migraine, mechanical trauma. Seek medical attention if:
- The number of black flies does not decrease for more than 3-5 days or even increases.
- Vision worsens.
- Other symptoms appear, including flickering and flashing, bruising and burst blood vessels.
- Flies suddenly appeared after an injury.
If these and other pathological visual effects are detected, it is worth contacting a specialist. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will minimize the negative consequences and get by with little blood, without bringing the condition to a critical one, when only surgery can help.
Vitamins for the retina
As noted above, the reasons why black dots fly before the eyes can be associated not only with serious pathological changes or external influences. Sometimes flies appear due to a banal lack of vitamins, the deficiency of which slows down metabolic andregenerative processes. Complex eye treatment is not carried out without prescribing the necessary micro- and macroelements to restore the organs of vision.
Eye he alth needs B vitamins. The organs of vision need them the most. For example, vitamin B1 affects metabolic processes and creates favorable conditions for eye he alth. An equally important function of vitamin B1 is to accelerate the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain. If this process is disturbed for some reason, then visual acuity can be significantly reduced. Nutritional deficiencies from this group can also lead to dystrophy of the eyeball and contribute to the development of inflammation.
Vitamin B2 must be present in complex preparations designed to maintain eye he alth. It provides nutrition to the cornea and lens, takes part in regenerative processes. Also, this vitamin helps the eye to cleanse itself of decay products and contributes to faster tissue oxygenation. With its deficiency, a person begins to see much worse at night. The eyes feel stinging and may turn red frequently.
Vitamin B6 reduces the intensity of inflammatory processes in cells. It also helps the eye muscles to relax after a long and hard work. Vitamin B12 is equally important for visual acuity. Manifestations of its deficiency can be noticed even without special diagnostics. With an insufficient amount of vitamin B12, the cornea becomes dull, the vessels clearly appear on it. There is a risk of developing anemia and dystrophy of the eye.
For visual acuity, not only group B is of great importance. Thus, vitamin A helps prevent the development of dystrophic processes. Preparations, which include it, can be of help in the fight against cataracts and glaucoma. Vitamin C protects cells from free radicals. It increases the tone of the capillaries, thereby providing blood flow to the retina. Vitamin E protects the eyes from harmful UV rays. It also takes part in the regeneration of damaged tissues. Vitamin D helps relieve inflammation. Its no less important function is the assimilation of useful macro- and microelements. Vitamin F is indispensable for patients who have been diagnosed with increased intraocular pressure. It promotes the outflow of excess fluid, thereby relieving tension.
Useful substances
It is important to get micro and macro elements in balanced proportions, which allows vitamin and mineral complexes. The latter also include additional substances that are beneficial to the he alth of the retina and eyes in general. These include:
- Zinc is a natural antioxidant, as well as an auxiliary substance that is actively involved in the absorption of vitamin A.
- Lutein is the main pigment in the so-called macula lutea (the main part of the retina), which provides protection from ultraviolet rays and too bright light.
- Blueberries are perhaps the most useful berry for vision, improving blood circulation and cell regeneration, reducing eye fatigue.
- Bioflavonoids. Strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, improve blood circulation.
Physical education for the eyes
Often black dots fly before the eyes due to overexertion. In this case, physical education will help get rid of annoying symptoms. Simple exercises will relax muscles, improve blood flow, distribute fluid in the vitreous body, and remove the feeling of dryness.
Gymnastics for the eyes can be performed in any comfortable position: sitting, standing, lying down. The set of exercises includes:
- Deliberately frequent blinking.
- Smooth eye movements left and right, up and down.
- Squeeze tight.
- Circular movements.
- Moderate pressure on the eyes with fingers in the corners and over the entire surface.
- Change of focus with alternating concentration on near and far objects.
Gymnastics should be performed smoothly without sudden movements. It is recommended to do at least 5 repetitions of each exercise and blink as often as possible, because this physiological process relaxes the muscles, relieves their fatigue, and lubricates the surface of the eyeball. You should do the exercises after reading for a long time, sitting at a computer, or work that requires concentration of vision.
Medicated treatment
If cloudiness is caused by dead cells, then even a small black dot in front of the eye cannot pass by itself. It is almost impossible to completely clear the eyes of them. If there are few black dots, thentreatment is not required. In this case, the brain adapts to clouding, and the person simply does not notice them. But when there are quite a lot of flies, in addition to vitamins, lifestyle correction and physical education, medications are required.
Vitamin drops are often prescribed for patients with complaints of black dots before their eyes. The doctor may prescribe drugs such as Taufon and Quinax. In this case, potassium iodide is also effective. When acceleration of regenerative processes is required, drops "Emoxipin" and "Wobenzym" are used. Additionally, biostimulants, electrophoresis, paraffin applications and other procedures can be prescribed.
Surgical method
When conventional techniques do not bring the desired results, and the patient is very disturbed by black dots before the eyes, the treatment may consist of vitrectomy. This is a surgical procedure in which doctors remove the vitreous body. In the future, it is completely replaced by an artificial environment. This is a very dangerous operation, which, under unfavorable circumstances, can result in retinal detachment. In this case, with the help of a vitreotome (cutting instrument) and an endo-illuminator, the vitreous body is replaced with artificial materials. For this, a polymer, silicone oil, saline solution can be used. The natural physiological composition of the intraocular fluid is restored a few days after the operation. The result is a clear vision.
Laser correction
Vitreolysis is an alternative operation. It is carried out using a laser and consists in"breaking" threads. As a result, the clusters of dots disappear. The safety and high efficiency of the operation was confirmed by leading American ophthalmologists and surgeons Brendan Moriarty and Scott Geller. However, since the manipulation itself is complex, it can only be performed by experienced professionals.
The essence of the laser operation is the action of the beam on a "floating" object. During the procedure, black dots turn into tiny particles. In the future, they do not interfere with vision at all. The difficulty lies in the fact that it is extremely difficult to accurately direct the laser beam to floating opacities in the vitreous body of the eye. No less important is the fact that this operation does not require hospitalization of the patient. A few hours later, if everything went well, he can go home.
Conclusion
Black dots and sticks are in most cases a harmless optical effect that goes away by itself with proper eye hygiene, a he althy lifestyle and proper rest. However, it is worth asking for help if there are a lot of flies, they do not disappear for a long time or are accompanied by extraneous unpleasant symptoms.
