What could a persistent shadow in my right eye mean and should I see a doctor?

[AbigailLW]

I’ve noticed a persistent, slight shadow or smudge in the lower part of my vision in my right eye, but only when I’m looking at a plain, bright background like a white wall or the sky. It doesn’t hurt and my regular vision seems fine otherwise, but that faint spot is always in the same place. I’m wondering if this is something others have experienced and if it’s worth bringing up at my next eye exam.

[Aubrey.S]

I've had something similar in my right eye a couple of years ago. A tiny shadow that only showed up against bright backgrounds. It didn't hurt, and my regular vision stayed fine. At the next eye exam my optometrist mentioned it could be a floater and checked the back of my eye with a dilation.

[Olivia.T]

I tried blinking, darting my gaze around, and staring at a plain wall to see if it moved. It mostly sat there in the same spot on bright surfaces, which made me doubt it was in the eye itself. I still keep wondering what it means.

[Jerry_D]

Could this be something you’re noticing only on plain white surfaces because there’s nothing else to distract the eye?

[JacobT]

I mentioned it at a routine exam and they did a dilated check of the retina; nothing alarming showed up. They told me to monitor it and to seek care urgently if I suddenly see flashes or a curtain over part of the vision.