What Are Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are small to medium sized, shadowy shapes that appear to drift across your field of vision. They may look like spots, threads, cobweb-like strands or solid dark masses and are especially noticeable when looking at a bright, plain background.

What Causes Eye Floaters?

Floaters are typically caused by changes in the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye. As we age, the vitreous can shrink or become more liquid, causing tiny fibers to clump together and cast shadows on the retina. These shadows are what we perceive as floaters.

Other potential causes include:

Eye Injury or Surgery: Trauma or certain procedures can disrupt the vitreous. Cataract surgery can be a major offender.
Inflammation (Uveitis): Swelling in the eye can lead to debris that creates floaters.
Retinal Tears or Detachment: In rare cases, floaters may indicate more serious conditions requiring immediate attention.

70%

40+

Most common age to develop floaters

Of people experience eye floaters in their lifetime

The Studies

Get a closer look at two groundbreaking clinical studies and their impressive results, demonstrating the effectiveness of key ingredients in addressing eye floaters.

Study 1: Mixed Fruit Enzyme (MFE) Supplement for Vitreous Floaters

When did the study take place?
Conducted between September and December 2017, published in November 2022.

Where did the study take place?
Conducted at Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital in Taiwan.

What company or lab conducted the study?
Led by researchers from Tajen University, Meiho University, and the National Defense Medical College in collaboration with Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital.

What was the formula used?
Mixed Fruit Enzyme (MFE) formula containing:
190 mg bromelain (pineapple enzyme)
95 mg papain (papaya enzyme)
95 mg ficin (fig enzyme)

How many people participated?
224 patients: 160 participants with primary floaters (spontaneous vitreous opacities, SVO). 64 participants with VH (vitreous hemorrhage*)-induced floaters.

What was the success rate?
Within 3 months:
Primary floaters (SVO):
55% disappearance with 1 serving/day.
62.5% disappearance with 2 servings/day.
70% disappearance with 3 servings/day.
VH-induced floaters:
18% disappearance with 1 servings/day.
25% disappearance with 2 servings/day.
56% disappearance with 3 servings/day.
Significant improvement in corrected distance visual acuity for VH-induced floaters correlated with the number of servings per day.

*Vitreous hemorrhage - a sometimes serious seepage of blood into the vitreous often resulting in pronounced floaters and other vision impairments

View full report

Participants saw results within 3 months

Floaters from
vitreous hemorrhage

PRIMARY Floaters

1
serving daily

2
servings daily

3
servings daily

55% disappearance

62.5% disappearance

70% disappearance

18% disappearance

25% disappearance

56% disappearance

Study 2: Targeted Micronutrient Formulation for Vitreous Floaters

When did the study take place?
Conducted in 2021, published in October 2021.

Where did the study take place?
Conducted at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland.

What company or lab conducted the study?
The study was led by researchers from the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland and supported by the Institute of Eye Surgery, Waterford, Ireland.

What was the formula used?
The active supplement contained:
125 mg L-lysine
40 mg vitamin C
26.3 mg Vitis vinifera (grape seed) extract
5 mg zinc
100 mg Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract

How many people participated?
61 patients were enrolled, randomized into two groups:
31 in the active group and 30 in the placebo group.

What was the success rate?
Within 6 months:
Visual discomfort improvement: 66.6% of participants in the active group reported a decrease in floater-related discomfort.
Vitreous opacity obstructed vision: Significant reduction in the active group, with the placebo group showing no significant improvement.
Contrast sensitivity: Significant improvement in photopic functional contrast sensitivity in the active group.