When Should I Worry About Eye Floaters and Flashes?

The eye is filled with a jelly-like substance called the vitreous which holds the shape of the eye. Part of the visual process is when the light passes through the vitreous to reach the retina, which is the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye. As part of the natural ageing process, the vitreous becomes thicker and shrinks which causes floaters and flashes. As a person approaches middle-age, it is common for clumps of cells to form in the vitreous which cast a shadow on the retina and these are known as floaters. Floaters in the vision can be described as the appearance of tiny cobwebs, spots or specks in your field of vision. When looking at a clear space or the sky, you might notice the presence of little shapes floating. Even if you try to blink repeatedly, these do not go away. Upon looking in another direction, the shapes move along with you. Another change the vitreous can go through as we age, is that it can start to pull at the retina which causes a phenomenon called flashes. This is when we see flashes of light intermittently which can last for weeks or months. 

Floaters and flashes in the vision can be very common and are usually harmless, as they are part of the human aging process. You can experience them both together or on their own. In the majority of cases, there is no treatment required if flashes and/ floaters are an occasional occurrence. These may bother you in the beginning but gradually you get used to it.  However, there are more rare cases when flashes and floaters can also be a symptom of a serious eye condition, called a retinal detachment which requires immediate treatment. As the vitreous pulls away and shrinks, it causes the retina to detach and to peel away from the back of the eye which can damage your vision severely.

Causes

A common cause of floaters and/or flashes is a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) which thankfully is not serious or dangerous. PVD occurs when the vitreous pulls away from the back of the eye which tends to be more common as we age.  

Flashes and floaters can manifest when there is a serious condition called a retinal detachment. This can cause severe damage to your vision and thus must be treated right away. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina, which is the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye, is pulled away from the back of the eye which can cause visual impairment. If you are suddenly experiencing many flashes and floaters, please schedule an appointment immediately to be checked by the eye doctor for a retinal detachment.