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What are floaters and flashes?
Floaters. You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision.
These are called floaters. You can often see them 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, gel-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 it. What you see are the shadows they cast on the
retina, the layer of cells lining the back of the eye that senses light and
allows you to see. Floaters can appear as different shapes, such as little
dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.
Flashes. When the vitreous gel rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what look
like flashing lights or lightning streaks. You may have experienced this
same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars." The
flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months.
As we grow older, it is more common to experience floaters and flashes as
the vitreous gel changes with age, gradually pulling away from the inside
surface of the eye.
What are the symptoms of floaters and flashes?
Symptoms of floaters and flashes include:
- Small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision;
- Dots, circles, lines or "cobwebs" in your field of vision;
- Seeing flashes of light or "stars."
If the vitreous gel shrinks and pulls away from the wall of the eye, the
retina can tear. 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 retinal
detachment. You should see your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) as soon as
possible if:
- You suddenly see an increase in the size and number of floaters;
- You suddenly see flashes of light.
Vitreous detachment. Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or "heat
waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10 to 20 minutes. These are not flashes
from the vitreous gel rubbing or pulling on the retina; instead, these types
of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain,
called a migraine.
If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a migraine headache.
However, jagged lines or heat waves can occur without a headache. In this
case, the light flashes are called ophthalmic migraine, or migraine without
headache. Contact us if you experience these symptoms.
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Who is at risk for floaters and flashes?
As we grow older, it is more common to experience floaters and flashes.
Floaters and flashes are also caused by posterior vitreous detachment, where
the vitreous gel pulls away from the back of the eye. This condition is more
common in people who:
- Are nearsighted;
- Have undergone cataract operations;
- Have had YAG laser surgery of the eye;
- Have had inflammation (swelling) inside the eye.
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What causes floaters and flashes?
When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or
shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls
away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment.
This is a common cause of floaters. As we grow older, it is also more common
to experience flashes.
The appearance of floaters and flashes may be alarming, especially if they
develop very suddenly. To find out if a retinal tear or detachment is
occurring, you should call your ophthalmologist right away if you notice the
following symptoms (especially if you are over 45 years of age):
- A sudden increase in size and number of floaters;
- A sudden appearance of flashes;
- Having a shadow appear in the periphery (side) of your field of vision;
- Seeing a gray curtain moving across your field of vision;
- Having a sudden decrease in your vision.
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How are floaters and flashes diagnosed?
Floaters and flashes become more common as we grow older. While not all
floaters and flashes are serious, you should always have a medical eye
examination by an ophthalmologist to make sure there has been no damage to
your retina.
When an ophthalmologist examines your eyes, your pupils may be dilated
(enlarged) with eyedrops. During this painless examination, your
ophthalmologist will carefully observe areas of your eye, including the
retina and vitreous. If your eyes have been dilated, you will need to make
arrangements for someone to drive you home afterward.
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How are floaters and flashes treated?
Floaters may be a symptom of a tear in the retina, which is a serious
problem. If a retinal tear is not treated, the retina may detach from the
back of the eye. The only treatment for a detached retina is surgery.
Other floaters are harmless and fade over time or become less bothersome,
requiring no treatment. Surgery to remove floaters is almost never required.
Vitamin therapy will not cause floaters to disappear.
Even if you have had floaters for years, you should schedule an eye
examination with your ophthalmologist if you notice a sudden increase in the
size or amount of floaters or a sudden appearance of light flashes -
especially if these symptoms are accompanied by any change in your vision.
Ophthalmology Associates recommends that adults with no signs
or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age
40 - the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to
occur. Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist
will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.
For individuals at any age with symptoms of or at risk for eye disease, such
as those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood
pressure, the Academy recommends that individuals see their ophthalmologist
to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.
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