Sometimes when I look at an empty bright blue sky, I instinctively shift my focus from the height of the absent clouds to just micrometers above each eye. I can somehow focus on the thin layer of Lacrimal Fluid surrounding my eyes, and in it I can see the ghostly outlines of active microorganisms swimming around in my tears.
I mentioned this to Aaron (my biology lifeline since the 10th grade and current medical student), who admitted to having seen them as well, but suggested that they might be lint rather than protozoa. My sister agrees they are alive however, and has corroborated me, stating that she tends to "watch the 'worms' in oncoming headlights".
aaron here, in addition to "gunk" (lint, etc.) i imagine there is a fair amount of cellular debris that you might be seeing. the organic nature of this material might be why you think its "alive" or even "wiggling" though the wiggling is probably nothing more that the wiggling a tissue would do when submerged in water (ie, lacrimal fluid). a
They are called "floaters". They are indeed cellular debris, but they are NOT in the lacrimal fluid, but rather in the vitreous humour of the eyeball (the jello like substance in the main chamber of the eyeball). There are tons of websites, even clubs, about floaters, with some renderings as well, so check it out :)
Yes, an(n)oy, took my place briefly when I was to lazy to sign in! As for the stowaways...they are there but they are not alive!
im gonna try that out. wormies in the eyes. i wanna see that.
Please do.
Report back.
A.
aaron here, in addition to "gunk" (lint, etc.) i imagine there is a fair amount of cellular debris that you might be seeing. the organic nature of this material might be why you think its "alive" or even "wiggling" though the wiggling is probably nothing more that the wiggling a tissue would do when submerged in water (ie, lacrimal fluid). a
ok - IVE GOT THE ANSWER!
They are called "floaters". They are indeed cellular debris, but they are NOT in the lacrimal fluid, but rather in the vitreous humour of the eyeball (the jello like substance in the main chamber of the eyeball). There are tons of websites, even clubs, about floaters, with some renderings as well, so check it out :)
I LOVE that they're called Floaters! So simple, so appropriate.
A.
Oh squiggly line in my eye fluid. I see you lurking there on the peripheral of my vision.
But when I try to look at you, you scurry away.
Are you shy, squiggly line?
Why only when I ignore you, do you return to the center of my eye?
Oh, squiggly line, it's alright, you are forgiven.
- Stewie from Family Guy
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