If you stare hard at an evenly bright surface such as a piece of white paper, or a blue sky, you may see squiggly objects which seem to float across your sight.

These objects, which are aptly called ¡®floaters¡¯ are very common and quite harmless. They are particularly noticeable when looking into instruments such as microscopes or binoculars.

Floaters are tiny particles of matter suspended in the vitreous gel, a clear jelly-like fluid which fills most of the inside of the eyeball. This substance maintains the shape of the eyeball. After being focused by the lens, light passes through the vitreous gel on its way to the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is rather like a photographic film and forms images from the light it receives.