Why do Floaters and Flashes Occur?
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Our eyes are filled with a clear substance known as the vitreous gel that helps the eye keep its shape. Floaters and flashes are usually caused by changes in the vitreous gel that occur as we mature. 7 out of every 10 people will experience eye floaters and flashes at some point in their lives. They are a normal part of the aging process and, most of the time, do not result in vision loss. Eye floaters and flashes caused by the vitreous gel are most visible when you are looking at a plain, light-colored background. Eye floaters and flashes can also be caused by trauma, systemic diseases, migraines, and high myopia (nearsightedness).
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Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
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When the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina, it is called a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Debris from where the PVD occurs moves into the vitreous gel and causes floaters that resemble different shapes and may obscure part of your vision. In most cases, the PVD occurs cleanly and the eye floaters become less noticeable after a few months.
Eye flashes result from the thickened vitreous gel pulling and rubbing on the retina, causing a release of chemicals yielding visual effects that look like lightning streaks or flickering lights. These flashes may appear off and on for a few weeks or months, but normally fade. Flashes also can be caused by an oncoming migraine headache. In these instances, the eye flashes often will look like jagged lines or shimmers of light that last between 10 to 20 minutes. |
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Retinal Detachment
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An acute, rapid onset of many eye floaters and flashes could indicate that a retinal tear or detachment has occurred. A retinal tear or detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of your eye. This is a serious eye condition and if not treated immediately, could lead to permanently reduced vision. Please call us right away if:
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Management of Floaters and Flashes
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Eye floaters and flashes normally require no treatment other than close observation and a dilated eye examination. Following this initial examination, you will most likely need a follow-up dilated eye examination in 4 weeks to evaluate the retina. When someone has a PVD or migraine, flashes typically fade away, and most people don't notice floaters as frequently over time. When a retinal detachment is the cause for the floaters and flashes, surgery is often the only treatment, and time is critical to preserve vision. We may need to refer you to an ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal diseases.
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