Floaters and Flashes

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What Are Floaters and Flashes?

Floaters

Floaters are small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. You may see them more clearly when looking at a plain background, such as a blank wall. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye. Floaters can have different shapes, such as little dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs.

Though these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside of it. What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see.

When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. Floaters often occur when the vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. In some cases, the retina can tear as the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye. A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment.

The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. You should see an ophthalmologist right away if you suddenly develop new floaters.

Flashes

When the vitreous gel inside your eye rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what looks like flashing lights or lightening streaks. You may have experienced this sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and see "stars."

These flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months. As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes. If you notice the sudden appearance of flashes, you should visit your ophthalmologist immediately because it could mean that the retina has been torn.

Symptoms

You should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if:

  • One new, large floater or "showers" of floaters appear suddenly
  • You see sudden flashes of light, especially if these flashes are persistent
  • You notice other symptoms, such as the loss of side vision or if it looks as if a shade or curtain is being drawn over your field of vision

Floaters and flashes become more common as we grow older. 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.

Causes

Floaters can be caused by normal aging of the eye when the vitreous jelly begins to shrink. Other causes of floaters include the sudden release of blood cells from the retinal blood vessels or pigmented cells from underneath the retina into the vitreous jelly. This can occur with the tearing of the retina. It is not always possible to distinguish between the causes of new floaters in the eye, which is why it is essential to have an immediate ophthalmologic examination to look for retinal holes or tears.

Risk Factors

Aging is a large risk factor for new floaters. People who are very nearsighted (high myopes) are at greater risk of developing floaters earlier in life and are also at a greater risk of a retinal tear or detachment.  Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) and recent intraocular surgery are also risk factors for developing floaters in the eye. 

Tests and Diagnosis

Most causes of new floaters and flashes can be determined through a clinical exam by an ophthalmologist. If the cause of the symptoms is not seen during a clinical exam, your ophthalmologist may order additional testing, such as an ultrasound of the eye.

Treatment and Drugs

The treatment for floaters and flashes depends on the underlying condition. 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.

While some floaters may remain in your vision, many of them will fade over time and become less bothersome. Even if you have had some floaters for years, you should have an eye examination immediately if you notice new ones.

There is no specific treatment for separation of the vitreous gel from the retina although laser or freezing therapy or surgery may be required for retinal tears.

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Reviewed by Jill E. Bixler, M.D.