Flashes and Floaters
Floaters occur when little clumps form in the vitreous, the gel that fills the back of the eye. Flashes occur when the vitreous, which is attached at certain points to the retina, pulls on the retina, the neural tissue in the back of the eye that allows us to see.
What do flashes and floaters look like?
Floaters look like specks or strands in the vision that float as your eye moves.
Flashes look like lightning bolts or flashing lights, usually in the peripheral vision, and can occur intermittently for weeks.
What causes flashes and floaters?
As we age, the vitreous changes to contain more liquid. As this occurs, the vitreous pulls away from the back wall of the eye. This is called a posterior
vitreous detachment and is a common cause of flashes and floaters.
Flashes and floaters can also be signs of a retinal tear, which can lead to a retinal detachment, where the retina detaches from the back of the inside of the eye.
What type of exam do I need for new flashes and floaters?
Your doctor will perform a complete eye exam. Usually, the pupils will need to be dilated with an eye drop to allow for a very thorough examination of
the retina to check for tears or holes. Sometimes, your doctor may need to use an instrument or cotton swab to press on the eye to examine the entire
retina.
Depending on the history and exam findings, your doctor may recommend another dilated exam in several weeks.
Who is at risk for flashes and floaters?
As we age, flashes and floaters become more common.
A posterior vitreous detachment is more common in:
- Near-sighted people
- People who have had cataract surgery
- People who have had laser for secondary cataract
If you develop new flashes or floaters or a curtain in your vision, contact your eye doctor.
What do flashes and floaters look like?
Floaters look like specks or strands in the vision that float as your eye moves.
Flashes look like lightning bolts or flashing lights, usually in the peripheral vision, and can occur intermittently for weeks.
What causes flashes and floaters?
As we age, the vitreous changes to contain more liquid. As this occurs, the vitreous pulls away from the back wall of the eye. This is called a posterior
vitreous detachment and is a common cause of flashes and floaters.
Flashes and floaters can also be signs of a retinal tear, which can lead to a retinal detachment, where the retina detaches from the back of the inside of the eye.
What type of exam do I need for new flashes and floaters?
Your doctor will perform a complete eye exam. Usually, the pupils will need to be dilated with an eye drop to allow for a very thorough examination of
the retina to check for tears or holes. Sometimes, your doctor may need to use an instrument or cotton swab to press on the eye to examine the entire
retina.
Depending on the history and exam findings, your doctor may recommend another dilated exam in several weeks.
Who is at risk for flashes and floaters?
As we age, flashes and floaters become more common.
A posterior vitreous detachment is more common in:
- Near-sighted people
- People who have had cataract surgery
- People who have had laser for secondary cataract
If you develop new flashes or floaters or a curtain in your vision, contact your eye doctor.
