Quick Answer:
What are flashes and floaters, and when should you see an optometrist? Flashes and floaters are visual disturbances caused by changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye. Floaters appear as small spots, threads or cobweb-like shapes that move across your vision, while flashes look like brief flickers or streaks of light. Most cases are harmless and related to age, but a sudden increase in floaters, new flashes of light or a dark curtain in your vision can signal a retinal tear or retinal detachment. These symptoms require urgent assessment by an optometrist.
Have you ever noticed strange specks, squiggles, or cobwebs drifting across your vision? Or perhaps experienced a sudden, unexpected flash of light in your peripheral vision?
These common phenomena are known as floaters and flashes, and while they can be alarming, they are often a normal part of the eye’s ageing process. However, in some cases, these symptoms can signal a more serious underlying issue that requires immediate attention. Understanding what causes flashes and floaters and knowing when to seek professional help is crucial for protecting your precious eyesight.
The Eye Scene will walk you through the causes, symptoms, and actions to take if you experience them.
What Exactly Are Flashes and Floaters?
Let’s break down these two distinct visual experiences.
Floaters are small shapes that appear to drift around in your field of vision. They can look like tiny black or grey dots, specks, threads, or even cobwebs. They are most noticeable when you look at a plain, bright background, such as a blue sky or a white wall. These shapes are not illusions; they are tiny clumps of cells or protein casting shadows on your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye.
Flashes are perceived as brief flickers, streaks of lightning, or camera flashes in your vision. They often appear in your peripheral (side) vision and can occur spontaneously. Unlike floaters, flashes are a sensation of light created by a physical force on the retina.
Why Do Flashes and Floaters Happen?
The primary cause of both flashes and floaters relates to the vitreous humour, the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eyeball. The vitreous helps the eye maintain its round shape.
As we age, the vitreous naturally begins to shrink and become more liquid. This process can cause microscopic fibres within the gel to clump together. These clumps are the “floaters” that drift around inside your eye, casting shadows that you see. This is a very common and usually harmless occurrence.
Sometimes, as the vitreous shrinks, it can pull away from the retina. This event is called a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). As the vitreous tugs on the retina, it can stimulate the light-sensitive cells, causing you to perceive flashes of light. A PVD is a common age-related event and is often not a cause for alarm.
When Should You Be Concerned?
While most flashes and floaters are benign, specific symptoms can indicate a serious, sight-threatening problem, such as a retinal tear or retinal detachment.
You should seek immediate medical attention from an optometrist or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you experience any of the following:
- A sudden and significant increase in the number of new floaters.
- The new onset of flashes of light, especially if they are persistent.
- A dark shadow or “curtain” moving across your field of vision.
- A sudden decrease in your vision.
A retinal tear occurs when the shrinking vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the delicate retinal tissue. If left untreated, fluid can pass through the tear and get underneath the retina, causing it to lift away from the back of the eye. This is a retinal detachment, which is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
What to Do If You Experience Flashes and Floaters
If you experience new or changing flashes and floaters, it’s essential to take action.
Stay Calm
While the symptoms can be unsettling, remember that in many cases, they are harmless. Panicking won’t help, but taking swift, calm action will.
Contact Your Optometrist Immediately
Don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away. Call your optometrist and be sure to inform the staff about your new onset of symptoms so they can schedule an urgent appointment. Here at The Eye Scene in Double Bay, we prioritise patients with these symptoms.
Arrange for a Dilated Eye Exam. To properly assess the health of your retina, your optometrist will need to perform a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This involves using special eye drops to widen your pupils, allowing a clear and complete view of the back of your eye, including the peripheral retina, where tears often occur.
Don’t Drive to Your Appointment
The dilation drops will cause blurry vision and light sensitivity for several hours. It is not safe to drive until your vision returns to normal, so please arrange for someone to take you or use public transport.
Follow Your Optometrist’s Advice
Based on the examination, your optometrist will recommend the next course of action for this eye condition. If it’s a simple PVD without any retinal damage, you may need a follow-up review in a few weeks. If a retinal tear or detachment is found, you will be referred immediately to an ophthalmologist (an eye surgeon) for treatment, which may include laser therapy or surgery.
Your Eye Health is Too Precious to Ignore
Sudden changes in your vision should never be taken lightly. While flashes and floaters are often just a sign of normal ageing, the risk of a serious problem makes a professional evaluation essential. Being vigilant and seeking prompt care is the best way to protect your vision for the future.
If you’re in Sydney and experiencing any concerning symptoms, our team is here to help. Schedule an urgent eye exam with our experienced optometrists in Double Bay. Call us on 9362-9944 or book an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are floaters permanent?
Floaters can be permanent, but they often become less noticeable over time. The brain learns to ignore them, and they may settle at the bottom of the eye, moving out of your direct line of sight. While they may not disappear completely, most people find that they become much less bothersome with time.
Can flashes and floaters go away?
Flashes associated with a posterior vitreous detachment usually subside within a few days or weeks once the vitreous has fully separated from the retina. As mentioned, floaters tend to become less noticeable. If flashes or floaters persist or worsen, it’s vital to have another eye exam.
Am I at higher risk for retinal detachment?
Certain factors can increase your risk, including being very short-sighted (myopic), having had a previous eye injury, having a family history of retinal detachment, or having had cataract surgery.