1. Floaters

What They Are

• Tiny shapes drifting in your vision—dots, cobwebs, squiggly lines, or small rings.
• Actually shadows cast on the retina by tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the gel-like substance in the back of the eye.

Common Causes

• Aging: Vitreous gel naturally shrinks and forms clumps.
• Nearsightedness (myopia): Higher risk of floaters.
• After eye injury or surgery: Can cause more floaters.
• Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) or bleeding can also cause floaters.

When Floaters Are Usually Harmless

• Appear slowly over months or years.
• Float but don’t significantly block vision.

2. Flashes

What They Are

• Brief bursts of light in your peripheral vision—like lightning streaks or camera flashes.
• Caused by vitreous tugging on the retina.

Common Causes

• Vitreous detachment: Gel pulls on the retina, common after age 50.
• Migraines: Can cause temporary light flashes, usually in both eyes.

3. When Floaters or Flashes Can Be an Emergency

Call an eye doctor immediately if you notice:

1. Sudden onset of many new floaters, especially with flashes.
2. Curtain-like shadow over part of vision (possible retinal tear or detachment).
3. Loss of central vision or blurred vision in one eye.
4. Flashes accompanied by eye pain or redness.

These symptoms could indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which is an emergency requiring prompt treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

4. When to Schedule a Routine Check

• Floaters that appear gradually and don’t change.
• Occasional flashes with no vision loss.
• Any persistent visual disturbances that worry you.

Tip: If you’re over 50 or very nearsighted, annual eye exams are recommended to check for retinal issues.

Key Takeaways

• Floaters = drifting spots, usually harmless but can signal a tear if sudden or numerous.
• Flashes = brief light streaks, can be warning signs.
• Emergency = sudden increase in floaters + flashes, shadow/curtain, or vision loss.

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