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Sometimes we see these small translucent shapes moving by when the eyes are open. When the eyes are moved they seem to follow that movement, but with a certain delay, as if they are floating in a thick viscous liquid. What is this phenomenon called?

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  • $\begingroup$ First of all microorganisms are not visible to naked eyes. Secondly it is not clear what you mean by 'organism like structure'? The question is very likely to get closed as unclear. Please add some more information. $\endgroup$
    – Tyto alba
    Jan 11, 2017 at 8:42
  • $\begingroup$ BTW, floaters as mentioned below are typically more prevalent for the nearsighted. The floaters are sometimes indicators of problems, sometimes not. You should consult an eye doctor. $\endgroup$
    – Don Branson
    Jan 11, 2017 at 18:20
  • $\begingroup$ This was never disclosed to me. I didn't know this would happen as I grew older. I want my money or my years back! $\endgroup$
    – Jammin4CO
    Jan 11, 2017 at 19:59
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    $\begingroup$ "Oh squiggly line in my eye..." $\endgroup$
    – PCARR
    Jan 11, 2017 at 20:07

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I think you are talking about floaters (a.k.a. eye floaters or flying flies). You may want to have a look at this english.SE post in case you were not talking about floaters.

Floaters are deposits of various size, shape, consistency, refractive index, and motility within the eye's vitreous humour, which is normally transparent.

enter image description here

You can read the wikipedia article to better understand the causes. These floaters are typically not microorganisms unlike you seem to think. Their scientific name is 'Muscae volitantes' and they are mostly caused due to degenerative changes in vitreous humour due to aging.

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Are you referring to the "worms or strings/dots swimming on the eye/vision"-phenomenon? These are also called "eye floaters" and quite common. According to IFLscience: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/what-those-strange-things-you-see-floating-your-eye/ they are usually harmless, but may of course cause visual annoyance.

I was unable to quickly find a scientific source, but hope this helps.

If this was not what you were talking about, I misunderstood.

Regards

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What you might be referring to are white blood cells in your retina as described here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_field_entoptic_phenomenon

The blue field entoptic phenomenon [...] is the appearance of tiny bright dots [...] moving quickly along squiggly lines in the visual field, especially when looking into bright blue light such as the sky. The dots are short-lived, visible for a second or less, and traveling short distances along seemingly random, curvy paths.

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  • $\begingroup$ The rapid, random movement does not match the description in the question. $\endgroup$
    – OrangeDog
    Jan 12, 2017 at 11:20
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What you are likely seeing are tiny shadows cast upon the retina from strands of protein (and other debris) in the vitreous humor. They are indeed harmless and do correlate with age.

However, any which obscures your vision should be investigated as blood may have leaked into the eye.

Reference Floaters

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  • $\begingroup$ Please add some references to your answer. $\endgroup$
    – another 'Homo sapien'
    Jan 11, 2017 at 18:03

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