In which condition are "floaters" in the eye a commonly reported symptom in children?

Floaters in the eye are commonly associated with posterior vitreous detachment, particularly in younger individuals. This condition occurs when the vitreous humor, the gel-like substance filling the eye, begins to shrink and pull away from the retina. As this detachment happens, it can create the perception of floaters—small spots or cobweb-like images that drift in and out of vision.

Children may experience these floaters as a result of a natural aging process within the eye or due to conditions affecting the vitreous. Although posterior vitreous detachment is more typically discussed in older adults, it can occur in children, especially those who are very myopic (nearsighted) or who have experienced trauma to the eye.

In contrast, while retinal detachment can also lead to floaters, it is often characterized by more severe symptoms, such as sudden vision loss or flashes of light, rather than the typically benign experience of floaters alone. Other conditions listed, like optic neuritis and conjunctivitis, do not commonly present with floaters, making posterior vitreous detachment the most relevant condition related to this symptom in children.