Eye Floaters: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Eye floaters are tiny, dark spots that appear to float within the visual field, caused by the deterioration of the vitreous gel in the eye, often due to aging, eye injury, or diabetes.

These floaters can be a nuisance, obstructing vision and causing eye strain, potentially leading to headaches, blurred vision, and decreased visual acuity. To alleviate eye floaters, herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba, bilberry, and chamomile can be used in the form of teas, tinctures, or eye drops.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with other medications or exacerbate underlying conditions, and to follow proper dosages and preparation methods to avoid any adverse effects.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of eye floaters, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of eye floaters?

The main causes of eye floaters are typically related to age-related changes, such as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the vitreous gel in the eye separates from the retina.

This condition is often benign and does not cause significant vision problems. However, in some cases, the pulling force of PVD can cause small retinal tears or even retinal detachments, which can be a medical emergency. Other potential causes of eye floaters include diabetes, myopia (nearsightedness), and eye injuries that can lead to inflammation or scarring in the vitreous gel.

In rare cases, eye floaters can also be caused by systemic conditions such as uveitis or retinal vein occlusion.

• Age: As people age, the vitreous gel in the eye can liquefy and cause small particles to float in the visual field, leading to eye floaters.
• Myopia: High myopia can cause the vitreous gel to pull away from the retina, resulting in eye floaters due to the formation of adhesions between the vitreous and the retina.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eye, leading to the formation of microvascular damage and bleeding that can cause eye floaters.
• Trauma: Eye trauma can cause bleeding in the vitreous gel, resulting in the formation of small particles that can cause eye floaters.
• Detachment: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment can cause eye floaters due to the formation of adhesions between the retina and the vitreous gel.
• Surgery: Eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, can cause eye floaters due to the manipulation of the vitreous gel and the formation of adhesions.
• Inflammation: Posterior uveitis can cause inflammation in the eye, leading to the formation of small particles and eye floaters.
• Tumors: Vitreous and retinal tumors can cause eye floaters due to the bleeding and formation of adhesions associated with these conditions.
• Infections: Bacterial and fungal infections in the eye can cause inflammation and bleeding, resulting in the formation of eye floaters.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for eye floaters?

The main medicinal herbs used for eye floaters are Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Zingiber officinale, Panax ginseng, Terminalia chebula, Silybum marianum, Lycoris radiata, Celastrus paniculatus.

Ginkgo biloba improves blood circulation to the eyes, reducing the appearance of floaters by increasing the oxygen supply to the retina, while Bacopa monnieri's antioxidant properties help protect the eyes from oxidative stress. Curcuma longa's curcumin content reduces inflammation and promotes healing in the retina, while Centella asiatica's gotu kola extract enhances collagen synthesis and improves retinal health. Zingiber officinale's gingerol and Panax ginseng's ginsenosides have anti-inflammatory effects, reducing retinal inflammation and promoting overall eye health.

Terminalia chebula's amla extract and Silybum marianum's silymarin, Lycoris radiata's flavonoids and Celastrus paniculatus's withanolides have antioxidant properties, further protecting the eyes from damage and promoting the removal of debris that causes eye floaters.

• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with eye floaters by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the eyes, which may alleviate symptoms of vitreous floaters.
• Bacopa monnieri: Bacopa monnieri may help with eye floaters by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the eyes, which can contribute to the appearance of vitreous floaters.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the eyes, which may alleviate symptoms of vitreous floaters.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica may help with eye floaters by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the eyes, which can contribute to the appearance of vitreous floaters.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, may help with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the eyes, which can alleviate symptoms of vitreous floaters.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng may help with eye floaters by improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress in the eyes, which can contribute to the appearance of vitreous floaters.
• Terminalia chebula: Terminalia chebula may help with eye floaters by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the eyes, which can alleviate symptoms of vitreous floaters.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum, or milk thistle, may help with eye floaters by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the eyes, which can contribute to the appearance of vitreous floaters.
• Lycoris radiata: Lycoris radiata may help with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the eyes, which can alleviate symptoms of vitreous floaters.
• Celastrus paniculatus: Celastrus paniculatus may help with eye floaters by improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress in the eyes, which can contribute to the appearance of vitreous floaters.

What are the main herbal preparations used for eye floaters?

The main herbal preparations used for eye floaters are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Cream, Salve, Oil, Suppository, Gel, Poultice, Ointment.

Tincture of herbs like Ginkgo biloba and Bilberry is used to improve blood flow to the retina and reduce floaters. Decoction of Eyebright and Goldenseal is used to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the eyes. Capsules of herbs like Quercetin and Lutein are used to reduce oxidative stress and promote antioxidant activity in the eyes.

Creams and Oils of herbs like Chamomile and Aloe vera are used topically to soothe and calm the eyes, reducing inflammation and discomfort associated with eye floaters.

• Tincture: A tincture of Ginkgo biloba helps with eye floaters by improving blood circulation to the retina, which may help to reduce the visibility of floaters.
• Decoction: A decoction of Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the blood vessels in the eye, which may help to clear floaters.
• Capsule: A capsule of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) helps with eye floaters by reducing oxidative stress and improving vision, which may help to reduce the visibility of floaters.
• Cream: A cream of Calendula officinalis helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the skin around the eye, which may help to clear floaters.
• Salve: A salve of Plantain (Plantago major) helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the blood vessels in the eye, which may help to clear floaters.
• Oil: An oil of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and improving the health of the blood vessels in the eye, which may help to clear floaters.
• Suppository: A suppository of Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the mucous membranes in the eye, which may help to clear floaters.
• Gel: A gel of Aloe vera helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the skin around the eye, which may help to clear floaters.
• Poultice: A poultice of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation, which may help to reduce the visibility of floaters.
• Ointment: An ointment of Nettle (Urtica dioica) helps with eye floaters by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the blood vessels in the eye, which may help to clear floaters.