Floaters and Flashes

Sometimes people see small spot or specks moving in their field of vision or experience flashes of light. These occurrences are called floaters and flashes. Although annoying, floaters and flashes are generally of little importance. In some cases, floaters and flashes may be the symptoms of a more serious eye problems such as retinal detachment.

What are floaters?

You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision, they are called floaters. You can often see the floaters when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye. While these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside. What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see.

Floaters can have many different shapes: little dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.

What causes floaters?

A people age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel can pull away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It is a common cause of floaters.

Posterior vitreous detachment is more common for people who:

• Are nearsighted
• Have undergone cataract operation
• Have had YAG laser surgery of the eye
• Have had inflammation inside the eye

The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. You should see an ophthalmologist right away if you suddenly develop new floaters, especially if you are over 45 years of age.

Are floaters ever serious?

The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye. This sometimes causes a small amount of bleeding in the eye that may appear as new floaters.

A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment. You should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if:

• A new floater suddenly appears
• You see sudden flashes of light
• If you notice other symptoms, like loss of side vision, you should see your ophthalmologist

How floaters are treated?

Although annoying, floaters are usually not vision threatening and do not require treatment. Often floaters diminish and become less bothersome with time. If a floater appear directly in the line of vision, moving the eye around will help. Looking up and down or back and forth will cause the vitreous fluid to swirl around and often allows the floater to move out of the way. With a complete eye examination, it can be determined if the floater are harmless or the beginning of more serious problem.

In cases where floaters do indicate a more serious condition,a laser can be used to prevent vision loss. Retinal tears can be sealed with an Argon type laser. This painless treatment can usually be performed as an in office procedure and may prevent more serious conditions, such as retina detachment.

What are flashes?

Flashes appear as flashing lights of lightning streaks in the field of vision although no light is actually flashing. Flashes are similar to the sensation of “seeing stars” when one is hit on the head. Flashes are most often noticed at night or in the dark room.

What causes flashes?

Flashes are caused by the vitreous gel tugging on the retina. If the gel actually separates from the retina (posterior vitreous detachment), flashes of light may appear periodically for several weeks. As with floaters, flashes are usually the result of the aging process and do not indicate a serious vision problem. However, flashes which appear along with a large number of new floaters or with a loss of part of the field of vision may indicate retinal detachment, requiring an immediate eye exam.

Flashes and Migraines

Flashes can also occur in association with migraine headaches. A migraine is caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the visual information center of the brain. Migraine related flashes distort central vision for ten to twenty minutes and appear as jagged lines or “heat wave” in both eyes.

How are flashes treated?

Unless they represent the symptoms of a more serious condition, flashes do not require treatment. Flashes which are a result of the vitreous pulling away from the retina will eventually stop. However, flashes may indicate retina detachment, which needs immediate medical treatment. Migraines, which are often accompanied by flashes, can be treated with medical therapy if they occur frequently and are debilitating.

Prevention is the best medicine

Although floaters and flashes are usually not considered serious vision problems, one should have a complete eye examination to determine their importance. In most cases, treatment is not necessary. However, early detection and treatment of serious problems such as retinal tears, can prevent permanent vision loss. The best way to find out exactly what’s causing your vision problems is to make an appointment with an eye care professional. At Edward M Stroh, MD, PC, we will check your eyes thoroughly to understand the reasons for your vision problems. And we’ll explain your choices for correcting the problems. Here at Retina Consultants of Long Island we keep up to date on new research and new treatments. Call 516-536-9525 today! to scheduled your appointment.