In our normal everyday vision, it’s expected we will see spots if we stare into the sunlight or other bright lights. However, these spots in the vision will disappear as your eye readjusts to the light.
If you are seeing persistent spots in your vision, it could be an indication of something else.
What are visual spots?
Spots in the field of vision are known as floaters, which results in you seeing objects that look like small circles, spots or specks floating in your vision. These floaters or spots are located within the eye itself and tend to move when your eyes move, although they may drift on their own.
Why am I seeing spots in my vision?
Here are some of the potential reasons for seeing black spots in your vision.
Diabetes
If you suffer from either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, in rare cases, eye complications could cause spots in your vision.
Often type 2 diabetes isn’t diagnosed early enough, so if you currently don’t suffer from type 2 diabetes, but you are having spots in your visual field, it’s a good idea to get tested.
To understand how an eye test can pick up whether you have diabetes, take a look at our article on the reasons why an eye test is important to check the health of your eyes.
Cataracts
A cataract will cause a clouding of the natural lens of your eye. It’s typically a result of ageing in combination with other risk factors such as smoking, steroid intake, diabetes, and sun exposure.
Additional symptoms for cataracts include:
- glare
- blurred vision
- halos around lights
- colours that are less bright
- a cloudy spot in your vision.
Treatment for cataracts includes surgery, which is very successful. For further information about cataract surgery, read our full guide on what to expect from the procedure.
A migraine
If you suffer from chronic migraines, spots in your vision could be a consequence of this. Other symptoms of a migraine include blurred vision, headaches, and eye strain or pain.
Retinal issues
In extreme cases, spots in your vision could indicate a problem with the retina of your eye. It could have become attached, or infected.
If this is the case, your vision floaters are typically accompanied by a sudden increase in the number of spots you can see and flashing lights in your field of vision.
When to seek help
In most cases, spots in your vision are tolerable.
However, if you are finding they are causing difficulty with your vision, or you are suffering from additional symptoms as described above, then it’s best to make an appointment with your Optician to gain a proper diagnosis and to test for anything serious.
