Flashes and floaters are generally a harmless, common phenomenon that is part of the ageing process and it’s important to understand the causes and if treatment is necessary.
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.
Most of the time, floaters and flashes are harmless, especially when they occur occasionally, as they are just a part of the natural ageing process. However, it is still important to be checked by your eye doctor to make sure it’s a harmless occurrence as these symptoms could be connected to a serious condition called retinal detachment.
Please make an immediate appointment at our office if you experience any of the following:
These symptoms are not necessarily appearing due to a retinal detachment, but it could be connected to this serious condition, and therefore you must be checked right away by an eye doctor in order to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.
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.
Floaters are most often not treated as they are usually harmless and tend to stop being a nuisance over time. There are surgical procedures, such as a vitrectomy or laser surgery, to remove floaters, but these methods come with risk of complications and therefore floaters are usually not treated. Flashes are also often not treated, but just like floaters, if they appear due to an underlying condition then that is what gets treated. If flashes appear due to migraines, your doctor will provide you with the best treatment plan for migraines. If you are experiencing flashes and floaters due to retinal detachment, this condition requires urgent care to avoid severe permanent visual loss. Retinal detachment is treated with surgery and there are various effective methods of surgical procedures for this condition.
Flashes and floaters are generally common, harmless symptoms of the natural aging process of the vitreous, which is the gel substance that fills the inside of the eye to hold its shape. It is important to get these symptoms checked by an eye doctor because there are rare cases where the flashes and/or floaters are presenting due to a retinal detachment which requires immediate treatment to save your vision from permanent damage. If you experience sudden flashes and floaters and there are many of them, please book an appointment with our office right away by calling (661) 775-1860 because it’s possible, but not conclusive, that there may be a retinal detachment. The eye doctor will be able to diagnose the situation and guide you with the steps moving forward.
Patients searching for advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and San Fernando Valley.
My eight year old daughter was terrified to go to the eye doctor for fear of her eyes being dilated. The doctor was SO KID friendly! He immediately made her comfortable by engaging her in conversation. It was a geat experience.
Dr. Garbus spent an amazing amount of time to solve my very complicated visual problems. Over the years he has continually achieved results beyond what others felt possible. He is always up to date on the latest science. He is great!
Family Vision Care Valencia makes it so easy. Staff is knows what they are doing and Dr. Garbus is thorough and kept me well informed during the exam.
I have been coming to Family Vision Center for almost 20 years. Dr. Garbus has been able to help my vision when other doctors could not. Now my kids see him as well. I highly recommend this office!
The Doctor is very good. I felt on this visit he seemed rushed. I had questions to ask him but he was already with another patient. I still do not know if my eyes are the same , worse, or better.
All the staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and has been for all the years I have been going there.
Are you experiencing severe dryness, corneal ulcers, or irritation in your eyes? Are you looking for an effective treatment that can help you alleviate your pain and heal your cornea properly? If yes, then you might be interested in learning about amniotic membranes in eye care. In this blog post, we will discuss what amniotic […]
According to the American Optometric Association, approximately 80% of what a child learns in school is acquired through vision, and vision problems can significantly impact academic performance. As a developmental optometrist, has treated many students who struggle to learn how to read due to vision problems. In this blog, we will explore how vision therapy […]
Bloodshot eyes can be alarming, but they are not always a cause for concern. In this blog, we will discuss the common causes of bloodshot eyes, how to treat them, and when to seek medical attention. We will also provide some helpful tips for preventing bloodshot eyes in the future. Understanding Subconjunctival Hemorrhage A subconjunctival […]
Monday - Friday
9am - 6pm
Saturday
9am - 1pm
Sunday
Closed
