Flashes & Floaters

Flashes, or the sensation of bright lights in the peripheral vision which are not really present, and floaters, or seeing something (usually looking like a string or a dot or several dots) floating in the vision, are common as we get older.

The vitreous gel which fills the inside of the eye, changes as we age, and as it pulls on the retina, or as it develops small spots in it, we see flashes and/or floaters.

When flashes and floaters occur as a new symptom, especially when both occur together, get in to see the eye doctor immediately! Though it could be nothing serious, this combination of symptoms is commonly the first sign of a serious problem inside the eye. Changes in the vitreous gel cause pulling or tearing of the delicate retina tissue, and can lead to a serious condition known as retinal detachment. If it is caught early, a retinal detachment can usually be easily repaired with a laser. If it progresses to involve more of the retina, however, it can be difficult to repair, and can result in permanent loss of vision and even blindness.

If you have floaters and the doctor has told you your eyes are OK, you may continue to see the floaters for months. Generally, there is nothing which can be done to improve the symptoms of floaters, but they tend to bother less as time goes on. It can take 6 months to a year or longer before you don't notice them anymore.

It is important to go to your eye physician to check whenever the symptoms of flashes or floaters change. New floaters, especially a large number of them, a change in the pattern of flashes, and any loss of vision, peripheral or central requires a prompt examination by a qualified doctor.