Does anyone know why when you really focus or close your eyes you can see a ton of fuzzy looking dots swirling around?

I is my understanding you are seeing the magnified movement of the blood cells in the capillaries in the back of your eye.

Some people (including me) have floaters

I’ve always thought it was the little particles within the outer liquid layer that covers your eyes. The colors are probably from how light filters through them.

I have had floaters my whole life. I remember being put down for my nap as a small child and staring up at the ceiling, watching my floaters move, and listening to the ringing (tinnitus) in my ears. I always assumed everyone had them, and didn’t learn otherwise until I was in college.

I hear it’s called hypnagogic imagery.

This is a Wikipedia page.

You may be talking about the “blue field entoptic phenomenon”, which is caused by the white blood cells passing just in front of the retina. It’s called “blue field” because it’s most noticable when you’re looking at a blue surface or the sky.

@Grisaille But hypnagogic imagery is associated with falling asleep

I see those all the time and I’ve always wondered what they are. What I experience are not floaters – I looked at the link gail gave, and mine aren’t dark lines. They’re exactly what you described: They look like a fuzzy TV channel.

My floater is s pale, round shadow and hardly noticeable. I was suprised when the Opthamologist told me I had one.

@DrasticDreamer: By “a fuzzy TV channel” do you mean like static on a TV – where the screen is just black and white dots dancing? Or do you mean like the image on the screen is out of focus or have shadows or double images?

@hearkat The dancing dots. But only white, flashing dots – no dark ones.

Edit: I do also see double images, though. It worries eye doctors and they haven’t been able to determine why. They gave me weird tests for double vision, but I passed all of them and it left them very perplexed.

@DrasticDreamer and @mass_pike4: Do the dots only happen following certain activities or movements? Do you have any other physical sensations or symptoms associated with them (like lightheadedness, ringing in the ear(s), nausea)? Do you get migraine headaches, or have a family history of migraine?

@hearkat The dots are always there for me. I see them when I look at any background with a solid color. (Which is why I was paranoid about taking a glaucoma test – because they use flashes of white light on a white background to determine blind spots). Certain movements or activity don’t change it at all. Other than the dots themselves, I don’t notice any other sensation that accompanies them. I do get lightheaded and dizzy frequently.

I do get migraines. I’ve had them since I was 5-year-old. I generally throw up when I get migraines. My grandma gets migraines, but she only started getting them in her 50s.

@DrasticDreamer: This fascinates me. You see the dots whenever looking at a solid color. If you pay attention, could you see them when the background is varied, also? What about when it’s dark or you close your eyes? You say they’re always there – literally 24/7?

Flashes and double-vision are typically considered neurological phenomena, and can be migraine aura (which can happen with or without headaches). What did the Eye Doctor say? And have you ever seen a neurologist?

@hearkat They’re definitely there when I close my eyes and when I’m in the dark, and (checking now to see if I can see them on a patterned/varied background…) yes, I can see them on a varied background, but not nearly as well. Literally 24/7, though on some days they’re much more pronounced than on others.

The eye doctor didn’t know what to say, honestly. The pressure in my eyes also tends to be significantly above average for my age (which is why I was given glaucoma tests – because it also runs in my family.) I also have double vision 24/7. What happens is when I focus on one thing – like the computer screen right now, for instance, I see not one speaker each on the sides of the computer, but two on each side. And that’s always how it is. No matter what I focus on, there will always be double images of whatever I’m not focused on.

No, I’ve never been to a neurologist.

@DrasticDreamer: The Eye Doctor didn’t have an explanation for the peripheral vision being double, either – like an astigmatism?? Do you need corrective lenses for any other vision problems?

@hearkat I do have an astigmatism, but the doctor didn’t seem to think that’s what was causing the problem. I wear contacts, because I can’t see without them, but they don’t help. Even holding one finger in front of the computer screen right now, right next to the last word I type, I see two fingers instead of one.

Oh HELL! You’ve seen them? Those are the evil gravtons contolled by the manevolent dark matter the spews forth from the other side of black holes. They’re trying to bore into your brain and claim you as a pre-installed soldier as the first wave front line dog before their comming inasion 12–21-12.

STAY AWAY FROM p42 IN ALL YOUR VICTORIA SECRETS CATALOGUES!!!

That’s how they quantum leap into your mind…

@DrasticDreamer: In your case, I’d consult a Neuro-Optometrist for further evaluation.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies: Not hyperbolic enough.

@hearkat Yeah, you’re right. I have no insurance and already owe about $3,000 in medical debt because of that. Oh well, though. I’ll figure something out, because I know it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Thank you, by the way, for taking the time to listen to me. :)

@DrasticDreamer: Thank you for entertaining my curiosity. I did recall that you have issues with medical coverage and care, and I am sorry to hear that. Have you considered working with your local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation? If you are a student or a working adult without insurance, you may qualify for medical evaluations through their offices. I have gotten hearing aids for patients through that program that would cost over $6000.00 out-of-pocket. They have also paid for surgery for patients whose hearing is compromised by chronic middle ear infections. They will also pay for eyeglasses. They are usually located in the same offices as Unemployment. I hope this might help you!

@hearkat I didn’t even know things like that existed! I’m in college right now and absolutely any help would be fantastic. I’m looking into that first thing tomorrow! If they aren’t located in the same offices as Unemployment, do you possibly know how I might go about tracking something like that down?

Your State’s website should have information somewhere under their health and social services listings.

Their main goal is to keep people in the workplace – paying taxes; as opposed to on Disability. So your medical issues must relate to your schooling, job training, or your job duties. So relate everything you are dealing with to how it impacts school. Good luck!

@hearkat Awesome! Thanks! :)

You are seeing the very fabric of the universe.

I think I have floaters, except they don’t seem to be as dark as what’s described in the first link above. Mine are more transparent and I usually only notice them when looking at the sky.

@drdoombot: Yes, those sound like floaters. The picture in the link is much darker and more opaque than mine are, too.

I’ve just woken up, and as I lay here and stare up at the ceiling (cover one eye at a time do you can determine which floaters are in which eye), I realize that I currently have the fewest and lightest amount of floaters I can remember. A year or two ago, it was the worst. I wonder why that is…

@hearkat: LIke the women who talk of Michaelango, floaters come and go.

@gailcalled: Yes, I am aware of that. I only just observed that I currently have the fewest that I ever remember having in my lifetime. But the one dot near the center of my right eye persists, the little bugger!

i actually went to the eye doctor last week and he said my vision has gotten better. I have contact—1.75 is the negativity. I have always been able to see the dots though. I can see them at any point in time if i really want to focus that well. It comes out esp at night.

I appreciate the responses. Very helpful!

The truth of the matter, whether you believe it or not, is that the dots are the spiritual energy that binds and animates reality. As crazy as that sounds, I’ve come to this conclusion after 15 years of personal research. Basically, each dot is conscience and watching you. Dont believe me? They more you try and figure out what your seeing at night as you lay in bed, the more answers you will get. When you go to bed tonight, just stare at the darkness. Try to really take in what your observing, beginners will probably see this cloud start forming in the center of their vision. Its made of a bright purple you’ve never seen before. Trust me, merely thinking of it at night will summon it. So, well, at least try before it before you call me a looney.