Table of Contents
Introduction
What Exactly Are Floaters and Flashes?
Floaters are tiny shapes that seem to float across your eyesight. Simply put, they are little groups of cells or gel inside the vitreous, clear jelly-like material that fills the inside of our eyes. When light comes into the eye, these little groups form shadows upon the retina. Those shadows are what we think of as floaters. They might appear as little dots, threads, squiggly lines, or even cobwebs. They move as your eye is moving.
Flashes, however, appear when the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina. When this type of mechanical stimulation occurs, the retina will fire signals interpreted by the brain as light, although no light is actually there. They usually look like quick streaks or bursts, generally in peripheral vision.
Why Do Floaters and Flashes Develop in the First Place?
The most common cause is due to the process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), This happens when the vitreous gel shrinks as we age. It then pulls itself away from the retina. PVD is very common and is usually harmless. It affects about 75% of people over the age of 65. Noticing new floaters or flashes in your field of vision is generally the first obvious sign that you have PVD.
Other factors that can contribute to floaters and flashes include:
- Due to myopia, nearsightedness, the stretched eye results in a more liquid and less dense vitreous gel
- Sudden trauma or injury to the eye
- Prior surgical procedures like cataract surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy can bring about bleeding in the eye
- Uveitis, inflammation of the eye’s middle layer
When Are Floaters Considered Normal?
Floaters in your eyes that you’ve lived with for a long time and have not changed in their appearance, number or how often they appear, are most likely benign. Floaters that are related to age that develop slowly and have no other symptoms, pain, or changes in vision are also not serious. Most people who have them learn to live with them. Their brains also adapt by filtering them out of our awareness.
Nearsighted people, pregnant women or those recovering from a surgical procedure might also become aware of more floaters, mainly during or after these situations. They are normal responses to changes in the eye. However, it is important to discuss any new ones or floaters that seem different to your eye care provider at your upcoming visit.
What Symptoms Should Prompt an Emergency Visit?
There are a few urgent symptoms that need immediate medical attention on the same day. If you are having any of them, do not wait until your next visit:
- An immediate or very sudden increase in the amount of floaters.
- New flashes of light, or appearing more often, or are even steadier.
- Appearance of a curtain, shadow, or veil spreading over part of your field of vision.
- Sudden blurriness or the loss of your peripheral or central field of sight.
- Floaters that also present with pain or redness in your eye.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be that your retina has a tear or is detached. It could also be a vitreous hemorrhage, or even another serious intraocular issue. A detachment of the retina is a medical emergency, and, unless it is treated immediately, you can experience permanent loss of vision
What Is a Retinal Detachment and Why Is It So Urgent?
We see this condition when the retina gets separated from its underlying supporting tissue, breaking the important link that feeds it with its important blood supply of oxygen and vital nourishment. When it loses that support, its cells start dying within hours. If the macula, the middle portion of the retina, gets detached, central vision loss can happen. The speed with which retinal detachment is treated is key to a better outcome for your eyesight.
A retinal tear, which usually comes before a complete detachment, can be treated in outpatient settings with the use of laser therapy or cryotherapy. If the detachment is detected early on, before fluid leaks under the retina, the tear can usually be sealed without any surgery. There are studies showing that the repair of retinal detachment by surgery is successful in over 90% of cases that have been treated very quickly.
Who Is Most at Risk for a Serious Complication?
Although anyone might have a tear of the retina or a detachment, there are a few groups of people who have a higher risk. For this reason, it is very important to be aware of your personal risk profile so that you can be on the lookout for any new symptoms or symptoms that change.
Higher risk groups include:
- People who are older than 50, especially those who have posterior vitreous detachment
- Those nearsighted people whose myopia is more than -3 diopters
- Adults who have a family history of detached retina
- People who have already had a retinal detachment in one of their eyes
- Those who are diabetic with diabetic retinopathy
- Anybody who has had a serious injury to their eye
What Should You Do If You Notice New Floaters or Flashes?
When Should You Schedule an Appointment at Golden Vision About Your Floaters or Flashes?
Not all floaters require an emergency visit on the same day you notice them. However, you should definitely not ignore them. Scheduling an appointment at Golden Vision is the best thing to do if you become aware of new floaters that have shown up gradually, or even those you’ve had for quite a long time. Our eye doctors will examine your retina and document your baseline so that you can have peace of mind.
If the symptoms you’re experiencing have come on suddenly or are accompanied by any loss of your eyesight, please do not wait until your scheduled visit, but get care immediately. Golden Vision can help you take proper care of your vision health. Schedule an appointment today so that our team can take a closer look.