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Floaters and Flashes

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When clumps of cells form inside the vitreous, they cast shadows called floaters. When vitreous gel rubs or pulls at the retina, flashes occur. Floaters and flashes are more common as we reach middle age, or they can be a sign of a serious problem called retinal detachment.

When clumps of cells form inside the vitreous, they cast shadows called floaters. When vitreous gel rubs or pulls at the retina, flashes occur. Floaters and flashes are more common as we reach middle age, or they can be a sign of a serious problem called retinal detachment.

What Are Floaters and Flashes?

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 cells or material inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye.

Causes of Floaters and Flashes

As we grow older, it is more common to experience floaters and flashes. When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to 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.

Floaters and Flashes Symptoms

Symptoms of vitreous floaters include seeing small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision, or seeing dots, circles, lines or "cobwebs." Symptoms of flashes include seeing flashes of light or seeing "stars."

Floaters and Flashes Diagnosis

Vitreous floaters and flashes become more common as we grow older. However, 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.

Floaters and Flashes Treatment

Vitreous 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 treatments for a detached retina are a laser procedure or surgery.