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| You may sometimes see small webs or clouds moving in your field of vision. They are called floaters, and you can often see them when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye, called the vitreous. |
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| Although the floaters appear to be in front of the eye, they are actually floating in the vitreous fluid inside the eye. |
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| What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the tissue layer at the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see. Floaters can have different shapes: little dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs. |
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When people age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment (which should not be confused with a retinal detachment). It is a common cause of floaters. Posterior vitreous detachment is more common for people who are nearsighted; have undergone cataract operations; have had YAG laser surgery of the eye; or have had inflammation inside the eye.
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| The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. You should see an ophthalmologist (a medical eye physician) right away if you suddenly develop new floaters, especially if you are over 45 years of age, are nearsighted, or are diabetic. |
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What causes flashing lights?
When the vitreous gel tugs on the retina, you may see what look like flashing lights or lightning streaks. This is because the retina cannot sense pain when pulled upon, but only senses light. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars." When the vitreous rubs or pulls on the retina, it creates a sensation of flashing lights.
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The 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 light flashes, you should visit your ophthalmologist immediately to see if the retina has been torn
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Are floaters ever serious?
The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye. This sometimes causes a small amount of bleeding in the eye that may appear as a new floater.
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A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment. You should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if even one new floater appears suddenly, or if you see sudden flashes of light, with the eye closed.If you notice other symptoms, like the loss of side vision, you should return to your ophthalmologist. |
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What should I do if I see spots, floaters or flashes?
If you suddenly see many spots, floaters, or flashes, you should contact your eye doctor immediately. You may need a dilated examination. This examination allows your eye doctor to determine if you have a vitreal detachment or a more serious problem. In most cases a sudden increase in spots, floaters, or flashes requires no treatment other than careful monitoring by your eye doctor.
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