Floaters and Flashes
At any given time, you may notice shapes slowly drifting across your field of vision or see brief flashes of light. These are eye floaters and flashes, and, while generally harmless, both can indicate a more serious or underlying condition.
Generally, floaters and flashes are due to posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which is a common condition that comes with aging. PVD causes the eye’s vitreous (also called the vitreous gel or humor) to shrink and pull away from the retina. For most people, this does not cause an issue, but for others, the vitreous sticks to the retina and pulls on it as it shrinks away, leading to the development of floaters and flashes.
Floaters: Description and Causes
Floaters are caused by clumps of cells and particles casting their shadows onto the retina, specifically, the macula (the retina's center). These shadows appear in various shapes, such as spots or squiggly lines.
Very common, 75% of people over the age of 65 experience floaters at some point, accounting for a large number of ophthalmological visits. Unless there is an eye disease, children under 16 years of age generally don’t have floaters. If you are nearsighted, this may speed up PVD, increasing floater development, especially among younger people.
Aside from PVD, floaters are also associated with two serious conditions: retinal tears and retinal detachments. One of the key signs of a retinal tear and detachment is the sudden appearance of many new floaters. Floaters may also develop with:
- Traumatic injuries of the eye
- Underlying conditions, like diabetes or uveitis
- The presence of blood in the eye
- Past eye issues, like cataract surgery or internal swelling
Flashes: Description and Causes
Flashes may look like streaks of light or bursts, often occurring in the morning. Typically, they dim throughout the day, but they may also appear if you’re in a dark room. Aside from aging, you may develop flashes with underlying conditions like retinitis pigmentosa. The likelihood of flashes may increase if you have a family history of retinal detachments. Your chances may also be higher if you’ve undergone eye surgery, such as for cataracts or glaucoma, or if you take glaucoma medication.
Floaters and Flashes: Risk Factors and Diagnosis
In many cases, floaters and flashes are harmless, however, they may indicate an underlying issue, such as a retinal tear or detachment. Retinal tears are breaks in the retinal tissue, which can allow fluid to leak into the vitreous. As the fluid accumulates, it can push the retina out of its normal location, causing it to detach. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly. Should you notice any of the following symptoms, seek out medical attention as soon as possible:
- A sudden increase in flashes and/or floaters
- Increased intensity of flashes and/or floaters
- Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision or straight lines appearing wavy
- A dark area in your field of vision
Floaters and Flashes: Treatments
Treatment is generally not necessary for floaters and flashes caused PVD. However, when caused by more serious conditions, treatments may include:
- Vitrectomy – A minimally invasive surgical procedure, a vitrectomy entails the vitreous being partially or completely removed from the back of the eye.
- Laser Photocoagulation – A procedure in which a laser is used to create scar tissue in the eye to close up retinal tears or reattach the retina.
- Pneumatic Retinopexy – A simple in-office procedure that involves a gas bubble being injected into the vitreous to push the torn retina closed. As you heal, new fluid is produced to fill the eye.
- Scleral Buckle – This surgical procedure involves a small piece of silicone sponge or semi-hard plastic being placed on the eye’s exterior to hold the retina in place until a tight seal forms.
For advanced care for eye floaters and flashes in Central California, contact California Retina Consultants today.