On a clear day, a glance at the sky may reveal delicate, cobweb-like figures drifting through your line of sight. Referred to as floaters, or more formally, muscae volitantes—a Latin term meaning ‘flying flies’—these entities can be quite bothersome.

Much like the nuisance of actual flies, individuals are often motivated to seek methods to eliminate these visual intrusions. A recent article in the Mirror, titled “Eye floaters: What causes them and how to get rid of them naturally“, purports to offer a remedy.

Dr. Sarah Brewer, a general practitioner cited in the article, extols a supplement called Clearer, manufactured by Theia Bio, describing it as “a natural but effective solution to address annoying floaters.” However, despite the optimistic assertion, Dr. Brewer refrains from indicating how to effectively eliminate these floaters.

The Theia Bio website articulates its claims with more precision, stating: “Clearer comprises a blend of antioxidants and antiglycation micronutrients that have been scientifically validated to reduce the size of floaters and alleviate visual discomfort in approximately 70 percent of test subjects within six months.”

Before assessing the viability of a dietary supplement in mitigating or diminishing floaters, it is prudent to understand their origins and causative factors. Primarily, the manifestation of floaters is attributed to the aging process. As one ages, the vitreous—a transparent, gel-like substance within the eye—begins to condense and shrink. The vitreous is predominantly composed of water, collagen fibers, and a substance known as hyaluronan.

Over time, this gel undergoes slight degeneration, leading to the formation of tiny clumps of collagen, which cast shadows on the retina, resulting in the perception of floaters.

As the vitreous ages, it may also detach from the rear of the eye, a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment, contributing to a proliferation of floaters.

Could vitamin supplements potentially influence the collagen formations in the vitreous, fostering improvement? In 2022, research from Taiwan indicated that high-dose mixed fruit enzyme supplements might reduce floaters. However, the methodology utilized to quantify floaters remains unclear, complicating the study’s conclusions without additional data.

Theia Bio, in partnership with Dr. Brewer, references a study on its platform, claiming scientific validation for the effectiveness of the Clearer supplement in reducing floaters and alleviating discomfort.

Nonetheless, assessing floaters presents challenges due to the vitreous’s mobility; any eye movement causes the vitreous opacities and their corresponding shadows to shift. Moreover, these clumps exist in three dimensions, resulting in variability in measurement based on perspectives, with closer floaters appearing larger.

The aforementioned study’s conclusions are based on a limited cohort of 26 individuals who utilized the formulation, with opacity dimensions documented in a two-dimensional format (cm²).

Such a small-scale trial does not sufficiently convince me of the efficacy of this dietary supplement in diminishing floater size.

Exploring Alternative Solutions

Several medical interventions exist for addressing floaters. The most widely recognized is a surgical procedure known as vitrectomy, which entails the surgical removal of the vitreous. However, this approach carries risks to vision that may outweigh the discomfort posed by floaters themselves.

Another option is to use a YAG laser to disrupt the floaters, yet the safety of this method is debated among experts. Alarmingly, various private clinics promote this laser treatment despite reports indicating potential damage to ocular structures and the development of glaucoma.

Online, numerous purported “solutions” have emerged, including intermittent fasting, temple massage and acupressure, in addition to eye exercises. However, credible evidence supporting these claims is lacking.

Some findings suggest that lifestyle factors might accelerate or decelerate ocular aging, thereby influencing the initial occurrence or severity of floaters. Consuming a diet rich in carotenoid-filled vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and pink grapefruit) and omega-3 fatty fish may benefit individuals at risk for age-related macular degeneration.

Emerging research indicates that excessive exposure to blue light emitted from smartphone and tablet screens may hasten age-related changes in the eye. Although mitigating aging in the eye is desirable, it remains unproven whether these measures can prevent the onset of floaters.

So, what should one do when plagued by floaters? Generally, the most effective approach is to disregard them. Over time, the brain adapts, causing a diminished awareness of their presence.

Your likelihood of experiencing floaters increases if you are myopic, have undergone cataract surgery, or have experienced ocular inflammation. Furthermore, individuals with diabetes may notice an uptick in floaters, highlighting the importance of glucose management and diabetic control.

Occasionally, floaters may signal a more severe condition. An abrupt increase in floaters or flashes, or the onset of a shadow or gray curtain obscuring vision, could indicate a retinal tear necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Conclusion

Can dietary supplements genuinely “address” the collagen clumps in the vitreous? Currently, evidence supporting this claim is scant.

Is it plausible that supplements and lifestyle interventions could decelerate the aging processes in the eye, postponing the emergence of age-related floaters? There is potential.

Dr. Brewer advocates for sound dietary choices, proper hydration, and adequate sleep—holistic strategies that promote overall well-being. While the direct impact on floaters remains uncertain, these practices may help mitigate the aging processes that contribute to their development.

Kawa Wong, founder of Theia Bio, informed The Conversation that his company “does not guarantee a cure for eye floaters; rather, it strives to provide optimal nutritional support for patients afflicted by floaters, grounded in existing scientific evidence.”

Charlotte Codina, Lecturer, Orthoptics, University of Sheffield

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

An earlier version of this article was published in July 2023.