Most floaters are the result of bits of cells that remain in the vitreous humor after birth and float around when the vitreous becomes more liquified later in life.

Over 50% of people over 70 years of age report seeing floaters. Most floaters are age-related. The vitreous humor thickens and clumps as we age, and floaters result from the clumped vitreous gel.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, floaters are an indicatoin of congestion in the liver, kidney and colon. Nutrients can eliminate congestion in these organs in order to keep the vitreous of the eye clear from these annoying specks, as well as to help strengthen the retinal tissue and integrity of the blood vessels.

Read more about why eye floaters develop and what you can do about them, as well as other causes of spots and dots in the eyes along with some cautions. Specific nutrients recommended are the chinese herbal classic formula Rambling Powder (Xiao Yao San) and Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, a proprietary formula of European Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), South American Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), European Eyebright Herb (Euphrasia off.), European Horsetail Herb (Equisetum arv.), European Pine Bark (Pinus pinaster), South American Barberry Bark (Berberis vulgaris), Chinese Gingko Biloba Leaf, Lutein (3.5mg), Zeaxanthin (6mg) from Marigold (Tagetes erecta), Alpha Lipoic Acid (naturally-derived), Grape Seed Extract (pesticide-free), South American Piper Nigrum Seed, Grade A Japanese Chlorella (C. pyrenoidosa), Wild Blue Green Algae (Aphan. flos-aquae), European Vegetable Extracts (Carrot, Broccoli), European Propolis Extract(pesticide-free), Medicinal Mushroom Extracts (raw & fermented mycelial extracts), Reishi (Hericium erin.), Coriolus versicolor; Japanese Marine Coral Minerals, Stabilized Rice Bran, and Plant Enzymes.

Macular degeneration has been found to be a nutritionally responsive eye disease, as demonstrated in numerous peer review research studies. Some of the following nutrients have been show to help prevent the onset of macular degeneration, while all of the nutrients below can help preserve vision … for those with macular degeneration including the following: lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, taurine, lycopene, vitamins A and E, zinc, copper, betacarotene, selenium, as well as gingko biloba for circulation, bilberry and glutathione.

See our list and summary of related peer review research studies and Dr. Grossman’s free monthly natural eye care newsletter.