Floaters can get less pronounced, but they are permanent and stay in eye. Sometimes, they can be a sign of a more serious eye condition called retinal detachment. In this condition, the shrinking and pulling away of the vitreous (called posterior vitreous detachment) causes the retina to detach.

What happens if you don't treat eye floaters?

Without treatment, a retinal tear may lead to retinal detachment — an accumulation of fluid behind the retina that causes it to separate from the back of your eye. Untreated retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.

When should you seek treatment for eye floaters?

Also, call your doctor right away if you have floaters and: You see flashes of light. There's a dark shadow or curtain in part of your peripheral, or side, vision. You have trouble seeing.