Floaters are small, moving specks or spots in a person’s field of vision that appear to float or drift around. They are a common occurrence and are generally harmless, caused by tiny clumps of gel or cells within the vitreous humor, the clear gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. Floaters can be more noticeable when looking at a plain background or when looking at bright lights, and they may seem to dart away when you try to focus on them. While floaters are usually not a cause for concern, they can occasionally be a symptom of a more serious eye condition, so it is important to have them checked out by an eye doctor if you experience a sudden increase in their number or notice flashes of light or a loss of peripheral vision.