Flashes and Floaters
What Are Floaters?
Floaters are tiny specks, transparent strings, or cobweb-like shapes that drift through your field of vision. They often move when your eyes move and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.
Most people notice them when looking at a bright background—like a clear sky, computer screen, or white wall.
Floaters are common and usually harmless, but in some cases, they can signal a more serious eye condition that needs attention. Almost everyone sees a few floaters at one time or another.
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What Causes Floaters?
The inside of your eye is filled with a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous humor. As we age, this gel naturally begins to shrink and liquefy, forming small clumps or strands that cast shadows on the retina. These shadows are what you see as floaters.
Common causes include:
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Normal aging (most frequent cause)
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Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD): The vitreous pulls away from the retina—a normal part of aging but sometimes sudden.
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Nearsightedness (myopia): People who are nearsighted may notice floaters earlier in life.
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Eye injury or trauma
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Inflammation or infection inside the eye (uveitis)
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Retinal tears or detachments — these are medical emergencies that require prompt treatment. If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of the floaters, or have associated flashes of light or loss of vision, call our office immediately.
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How Are Floaters Detected?
Your optometrist can evaluate floaters through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. During the exam, the doctor uses special lenses to look directly at the vitreous and retina, checking for:
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Retinal tears or detachment
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Bleeding or inflammation
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The density and pattern of floaters
In some cases, imaging tests like OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) or retinal photography may be used to get a clearer view of the back of the eye.
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When Should You Be Tested?
You should have floaters examined as soon as possible if you notice:
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A sudden increase in floaters
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Flashes of light (like lightning streaks)
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A dark curtain or shadow in your side vision
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Blurry or missing areas in your vision
These can be signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which is a sight-threatening emergency.
If your floaters are stable, unchanged, and not associated with flashes or vision loss, your optometrist will usually monitor them during routine exams.
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Can Floaters Be Cured?
Most floaters do not require treatment and often become less noticeable over time as your brain adapts.
However, if floaters are severe or interfere with daily vision, options include:
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Vitrectomy: A surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel and replaces it with a clear solution. This is typically reserved for extreme cases.
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Laser vitreolysis: A laser treatment that breaks up larger floaters (not suitable for all patients).
Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will determine whether these treatments are appropriate based on your symptoms and eye health.
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Living with Floaters
For most people, floaters are simply a normal part of aging and do not pose a risk to vision. Learning to ignore them or using proper lighting when reading can make them less bothersome.
Regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to ensure your floaters are harmless and that your retina remains healthy.
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VitreousHealth by MacuHealth: A Nutritional Support Option
Some patients may be interested in non-surgical ways to support vitreous health and reduce floater discomfort. One supplement, VitreousHealth by MacuHealth, is formulated with antioxidant and antiglycation nutrients to help nourish the vitreous and support its structure.
Clinical research (the FLIES study) reported that a significant number of participants experienced improvements in visual discomfort and reduced floater opacity over six months while using a targeted micronutrient formula.
Important Notes:
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VitreousHealth is a dietary supplement, not a treatment that removes floaters.
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Results may vary; it is not guaranteed to eliminate floaters.
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Always consult with your optometrist or ophthalmologist before starting any supplement—especially if you have other health conditions or take medications.
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When in Doubt, Get Checked
Even though most floaters are harmless, it is always safest to have them examined—especially if they appear suddenly or change over time. Early detection can prevent permanent vision loss from retinal problems.
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We are Here to Help
If you’ve noticed new floaters or flashes, schedule an eye examination with our optometry team. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation and ensure your eyes stay healthy.
What Are Flashes of Light?
Flashes of light are brief bursts, flickers, or streaks of light that appear in your vision—often described as “lightning streaks,” “sparkles,” or “camera flashes.”
They may occur in one or both eyes and are most noticeable in dim lighting or when your eyes are closed.
Flashes happen when the vitreous gel inside your eye pulls or tugs on the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
What Causes Flashes of Light?
The most common cause of flashes is a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)—a natural age-related change where the clear gel inside the eye begins to separate from the retina and slightly pulls on it. This happens more frequently as we age or as the amount of myopia increases.
Other possible causes include:
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Retinal tear or detachment: A serious condition where the retina is lifted or torn away from the back of the eye.
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Eye injury or trauma
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Migraine aura: Flashes may appear as shimmering zig-zag patterns or flickering lights that move across your vision, usually lasting 10–20 minutes.
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Inflammation or bleeding inside the eye
Because flashes can signal serious eye problems, it is always important to have them checked promptly.
How Are Flashes Detected or Evaluated?
Your optometrist will perform a comprehensive dilated eye examination to evaluate the retina and vitreous.
During this exam, your doctor may use:
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Special magnifying lenses to inspect the retina for tears, holes, or detachments.
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Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to capture high-resolution images of the retina and vitreous.
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Fundus photography or ultrasound imaging if the view inside the eye is limited.
These tests help ensure that the flashes are harmless—or identify problems before permanent vision loss occurs.
When Should You Be Tested?
You should call your optometrist right away if you experience:
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New or sudden onset of flashes of light
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A sudden increase in floaters (small spots or cobwebs in your vision)
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A dark curtain or shadow in part of your vision
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Blurred vision or loss of side vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which is an eye emergency requiring immediate treatment to save vision.
Can Flashes of Light Be Cured?
Flashes themselves are not a disease, but rather a symptom of what is happening inside the eye.
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If caused by a normal PVD, flashes often fade over several weeks as the vitreous finishes separating from the retina.
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If caused by retinal problems, treatment may include laser repair or surgery to prevent detachment and preserve vision.
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If migraine-related, managing triggers or using prescribed medication may help reduce frequency.
Your optometrist will determine the cause and discuss whether treatment or close monitoring is needed.
Living with Occasional Flashes
Once the cause is confirmed as benign (such as a completed PVD), occasional flashes are common and usually harmless.
They may come and go, especially in dim lighting, but often decrease over time.
Regular eye exams are key to making sure your retina remains healthy and stable.
When in Doubt, Get Checked
Because flashes can be an early warning sign of retinal detachment, never ignore new or worsening symptoms.
Early detection and treatment can make the difference between saving and losing vision.
We are Here to Help
If you have noticed new flashes of light, do not wait—schedule an eye examination with our optometry team.
We will perform a thorough retinal evaluation and make sure your eyes stay healthy and protected.