Causes of Black Spots in Vision

Seeing black spots in your field of vision is something that appears to be highly alarming. In reality, it can and cannot be. Sometimes, it is only a sign of aging and is benign in nature. While many-a-times, it can be a complication resulting from an eye surgery. A layman cannot rely on his personal opinion or diagnosis and lead a life without seeking medical assistance. In fact, a patient of black spots in vision should never do it. A persistent case often results in tearing of the retina and permanent loss of vision. Therefore, if you happen to develop such a problem in the eye, you must consult an ophthalmologist, that too on time.

Possible Black Spots in Vision Causes

Aging
According to a large number of ophthalmologists, black spots in vision is common in people over 50 years of age. They are mostly not associated with any sort of eye health hazard. These black spots are actually bits of inner fluid of the eyeball floating into view. They are medically termed as eye floaters. As one grows in age, the eyeball shrinks. The fluid present in it separates into a clear fluid and a stringy residue. These strings are opaque and float at the back of the lens and cast a shadow on the retina. Therefore, old age is itself a cause of black spots in vision. Patients of myopia often have to suffer from the problem of vision explained above. The formation of a shadow on the retina leads to black spots, which causes black spots in vision.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Vitreous detachment is described as the separation of vitreous body from the internal membrane of the retina. This mainly occurs due to shrinkage of the vitreous, which in turn is caused by inflammatory conditions, progressive myopia, trauma, diabetes, old age, etc. When the posterior part of the vitreous detaches, the condition is known as posterior vitreous detachment. The vitreous is often found to liquefy in such a condition. It causes floaters in the eye, and hence is one of the causes of black spots in vision. Some of the identifiable symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment are flashes and photopsia.

Eye Infection
When your eye is infected with micro-organisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses, the immune system of your body comes into action to kill them. In the process, dead parts of the infection-causing micro-organisms and immune system cells are left over. They sometimes get caught in the vitreous and cause disturbances in the vision. This results in the appearance of black spots.

Migraine Aura
Migraine is a neurological disease that is characterized by pain in one side of the head. As per studies, about 13% of migraine patients get a warning that the headache is coming on. They experience an alteration in the function of the brain. This is called migraine aura. It is mostly in the form of a visual symptom like an arc of scintillating zig-zag line or a blotting out of vision. In many cases, the migraine aura begins with a black spot in vision. The size of the spot grows in size as the time passes by. Thus, a migraine aura can be a possible cause of black spots in vision and headache.

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a medical condition that is marked by loss of vision in the center of the visual field. The reason behind the vision loss is damage to the retina. Elderly people, over 50 years of age, are common victims of macular degeneration. Since the central part of the visual field appears as a black spot, it is an underlying black spot in vision cause.

Eye Surgery
In some unfortunate cases, surgery conducted on the eye may cause or lead to detachment of vitreous from the membrane of the retina. This, in turn, leads to the appearance of floaters in the eye and causes black spots in the field of vision.

It has been seen that many expectant mothers suffer from black spots in vision. Though the condition is mostly harmless, one should not take the risk of leaving it be. Visit a doctor for necessary help. Also, if the black spots are persistent, or accompanied with loss of vision, you should immediately seek ophthalmologic attention.