Seeing Spiderwebs

Eye Floaters

At least one person a day either comes to the clinic for floaters or asks about it when being check for another reason. This is understandable because floaters and flashing lights are common and very annoying. Folks commonly say they see spider webs, cobwebs, or a fly that they tried swatting away. Flashes tend to look like lightning streaks.

First, let me reassure you that most of the time they are nothing more than an annoyance. They are caused by jelly in the back part of the eye (called vitreous) that separates from the retina behind it and forms strands in the shape of lines or circles that move around. Over time people notice them less and less but they don’t tend to completely go away.

There really is no good treatment for it. Although you could do surgery, the risks of surgery outweigh its benefits so it’s not advisable in most cases. Research is ongoing to see if the laser can help get rid of them so let’s hope that can become a viable option in the future.

The only time these symptoms become an issue is when there are lots (perhaps hundreds) of floaters with light flashes and curtain or veil coming over the eyes so watch out for that. If you do experience this see an ophthalmologist soon either same day or the following day because these are symptoms of a retinal detachment.

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Our locations

1209 York Road,
Lutherville, MD, 21093
410-821-9490
Hours
Monday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00am-6:30pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

301 Saint Paul Place
Professional Office Building
Suites 514 & 902
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-8380
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

Ridge Road Professional Center
7106 Ridge Road
Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 866-2022
Hours
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive
Suite 202
Abingdon, MD 21009
410-569-0707
Hours
Monday: 8am-4pm
Tuesday: 8am-6pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Thursday: 8am-5pm
Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday: Starting August 24th, we are open every other Saturday between 8:00 am-12:30pm


111 Mt Carmel Rd #600
Parkton, MD 21120
410-329-6700
Hours
Hours:
Monday 8:30am - 6:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Optical Opens at 9:00am each day.

**Now open the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month effective July 10, 2024**

310 Main Street
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-5515
Hours
Mon: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tues: 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Weds: Now open the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month effective 7/10/24
Thurs: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat (First and Third Saturday of the month): 8:00am - 1:00pm

21 Crossroads Drive
Suite 425
Owings Mills, MD 21117
443-738-4270
Hours
Tues & Thur: 8:00am-5:00pm
Effective 10/1/24, Dr. Nelson will be relocating to Lutherville every Tuesday.

901 Dulaney Valley Road
Suite 200
Towson, MD 21204
410-583-1000
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm