A: What are Floaters?
There are times when a person suddenly starts seeing shadow-like or spider web-like images in their field of vision, and suddenly start looking in all directions to identify the source of the images. No matter how much the person looks, however, the images will always follow their gaze, for the person is seeing floaters. Floaters are cellular debris within the vitreous fluid—the jelly-like substance inside the eyeball—and are a result of degeneration. As a symptom itself, floaters are little more than a nuisance. However, repeated and increasing incidence of floaters may be an indication of visual decline and should be addressed with an ophthalmologist.

How can I treat Floaters?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, good vision depends on a functional liver that nourishes the eyes with proper blood and nutrients, as well as vital essence that originates in the kidneys. This begins with a proper diet of complex carbohydrates, organic sources of protein, and whole grains, as well as spinach, beets, leeks, tomatoes, apples, peaches, blueberries, soybeans, mung beans, sesame seeds, and cloves. Other ways to encourage healthy vision include drinking a tea of spinach boiled in water daily, as well as maintaining an active lifestyle of cardiovascular exercise every day, in addition to gently energizing exercises like tai chi or qi gong.

What should I avoid in my lifestyle for Floaters?
The toxins and waste that lead to the degeneration in the eyes responsible for floaters are abundant in fatty and spicy foods, red meats, dairy products, coffee, and alcohol. Other activities to avoid include smoking, engaging in stressful situations, wearing sunglasses excessively, reading in poor light, and using computer and TV screens in the dark.