Understanding Eye Floaters and Flashes
Regardless of your age, you may have experienced seeing specks, dots and occasionally flashes of light within your eye. These “floaters” and “flashes” normally do not indicate a serious eye problem. However, understanding what they are and why they occur often eases one’s mind.
As part of the aging process or with trauma and/or diabetes, the vitreous (a clear, gel-like fluid which fills the inner eye) may shrink and pull away from the retina (the inner lining of your eye). This can cause the development of floaters, small particles of heavier gel within the vitreous. Floaters may appear as flecks, specs, lines, clouds, cobwebs or little dots. It is interesting to note that people with myopia (nearsightedness) tend to develop floaters at a younger age.
When the vitreous contracts from the retina you may see flashes of light. Once you begin to experience flashes, they may continue on and off for several weeks.
Although infrequent, the vitreous pulling away from the retina may tear it. This can cause bleeding in your eye and/or retinal detachment. Symptoms may include a sudden onset of flashes of light, a large number of new floaters or the appearance of a dark shadow within your field of vision. If you experience these symptoms, it is imperative that you are diagnosed and treated promptly by an ophthalmologist.
Most individuals learn to ignore floaters once they understand that they are harmless and not associated with retinal tear or detachment.
If you are alarmed about the floaters and/or flashes you have been seeing, an ophthalmologist at Yaldo Eye Center would be happy to discuss your concerns with you. Make an appointment for a complete medical eye examination at Yaldo Eye Center. That is all that is needed to determine if you need further evaluation and treatment for your floaters and flashes.
