Patient Information

Floaters & Flashes 

What are Floaters & Flashes?

Floaters can appear as black or dark spots, lines  or other shapes before your eyes  & usually move when you try to look at them directly. They come and go and these occasional floaters are usually harmless, but sometimes annoying. 

There are times when floaters could be a sign of a problem, therefore contact Hills Eye Surgery if you notice:

• A sudden increase in floaters
• persistent floaters, especially of sudden onset
• Flashes of light with these Floaters
• A dark shadow or curtain covering part of your peripheral or side vision.
• You have noticed your vision has reduced.

Flashes  appear as a quick arc like light flash or like a lightening flash. This occurs when the vitreous gel inside your eye (occupies the central part/most of the eye) irritates or pulls on the retina (back of your eye).

These symptoms may indicate a separation of the vitreous jelly from the retina (posterior vitreous detachment) and can lead to development of a Retinal tear or a more serious condition called Retinal Detachment in some patients. A Retinal Detachment is considered an ocular emergency (please see Retinal Detachment for more information).

Floaters and Flashes do not always mean that you will have a retinal detachment, but they may be a warning sign, so it is best to have your eyes checked at Hills Eye Surgery if you are noticing these symptoms to be safe.

Can Floaters or Flashes be a sign of anything other than a Retinal Detachment?

• Posterior Vitreous Detachment is one of the most common causes of flashes of light in your eye, where the gel within the eye (vitreous) detaches from the retina. The Vitreous is meant to be against the retina, however as you get older the vitreous humour can detach from the retina & if this happens too quickly, then flashes of light can be noticed. It can also cause Floaters. This can in some patients lead to development of a retinal tear and retinal detachment.
• Optic Neuritis occurs when the optic nerve becomes inflamed, which is a result of infection or a nerve related disorder like Multiple Sclerosis. Flashes of light can be a symptom of this.
• Pressure on the Retina can occur if you rub your eyes, cough too hard or hit your head - resulting in flashes of light from retinal pressure.
• floaters can also be caused if you get bleeding in the jelly (vitreous haemorrhage) in conditions like Diabetic eye disease or intraocular inflammation (Uveitis)

What is the treatment for Floaters & Flashes?

Mild floaters without a retinal tear do not require treatment and usually resolve spontaneously over time, however if a retinal tear develops it needs to be sealed with laser or cryotherapy urgently to prevent development of a Retinal Detachment. So all patients who develop floaters or flashes should have an assessment of their retina at the earliest as a Retinal Detachment is an ocular emergency.

At Hills Eye Surgery your eyes will be thoroughly examined to ensure there is nothing more sinister underlying the Floaters & Flashes symptoms which you are experiencing. If a retinal tear is noted it can be treated with retinal laser onsite at the practice.