Medical Eye Care
Flashes and Floaters
Flashes and floaters are very common, and are often harmless but they can also be signs of a true medical emergency. Floaters have the appearance of small shapes, lines, specks, or cobwebs moving around in front of your eye. Flashes of light will sometimes streak across your vision and then go away. If you ever experience these along with a curtain or veil of darkness coming over your vision then it is much more likely that you need to seek immediate evaluation and treatment to prevent permanent loss of vision.
Floaters are caused by small gel or cell clumps that form inside the vitreous—the clear gel-like substance in the middle of your eye— as it shrinks over time and contracts away from the retina, at the back of the eye. The clumps cast shadows on the retina, the part of the eye that processes light rays, causing it to appear as though dark shapes or specks are floating in front of the eye. They never truly go away but it is common for the brain to learn to ignore them or tune them out as unimportant information. It is most common to notice them while looking at a white wall or the clear blue sky.
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While the shrinking and detachment of the vitreous from the retina can happen to anyone as they age, the condition is more common in people who have undergone eye surgery, have experienced inflammation in the eye, or are nearsighted. While a shrinking vitreous itself will not harm the eye, it may pull on the retina and cause a retinal tear or detachment. A tear can in turn lead to bleeding inside the eye that may cause you to see new floaters, and can also result in a retinal detachment. Because a detached retina can lead to permanent loss of vision if not treated promptly, you should contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience any new floaters with flashes of light, or any increase in the number of floaters you normally see. You want to establish an appointment within the first 24-48 hours from noticing the change.
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Remember that the sudden appearance of a significant number of floaters, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light or other vision disturbances, could indicate a detached retina or other serious problem in the eye. A retinal detachment or tear is an emergency, requiring immediate medical attention.
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If you suddenly see new floaters or flashes of light, contact your eye doctor without delay.
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