Eye Flashes and Floaters

Eye floaters are common and usually no cause for alarm. However, they may be a symptom of a developing eye condition or an underlying health issue.

What Are Eye Floaters (Posterior Vitreous Detachment)?

Have you ever been lying on your back, looking up at a clear sky and suddenly noticed a slowly moving speck? Have you ever thought there was a fly in your vision that you swatted away, but there was nothing there?

These are known as “floaters.” Floaters appear as black dots, specks, squiggles, or cobwebs in your vision and are more prominent against a blue sky or light background. Floaters are inside the part of the eye known as the vitreous gel.

The vitreous is made up of collagen fibers which, as we age, become more liquid-like. This causes the collagen strands to clump together, forming what are known as “floaters.” They cast a shadow and appear like black dots or specks in the vision, which can be very frustrating.

The good news is that they are very common and typically benign. Floaters are common in younger people and tend to become more prominent with age.

What Causes Floaters?

As we age, the vitreous becomes more liquid-like and eventually separates from the retina at the back of the eye. This separation is called a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. A PVD naturally occurs in about 40% of people by age 40 and nearly 70% by age 70; however, it can also occur in younger, nearsighted patients or after an eye injury or surgery.

As the vitreous separates from the retina, a person will often notice a large, cobweb-like floater. A posterior vitreous detachment is typically benign and has no lasting consequences, but it is important to have a dilated eye exam to ensure that the retina is not involved.

What Are Eye Flashes?

Flashes appear as bright streaks of light that occur spontaneously and quickly. One of the most common causes of flashes in vision is a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. When the vitreous begins detaching over a period of one to two weeks, it can trigger a light response as it physically pulls on the retina. Flashes and floaters together are a common symptom of a PVD.

Can you have eye floaters and flashes at the same time?

You can experience floaters and flashes together or on their own. Both floaters and flashes occur when the vitreous pulls on the retina, creating tension and triggering a light response.

Are Eye Flashes and Floaters an Emergency?

Eye flashes and floaters are usually not an emergency, but it is recommended to get checked to make sure there is no retinal tear or detachment occurring. More commonly, the cause is a PVD. If you see the occasional eye floater, it typically is not something to worry about.

You should let your eye doctor know about floaters and have your eyes checked regularly to make sure there are no other vision issues, but this usually is not an emergency. In general, most eye floaters and flashes will subside over time. Most patients’ symptoms fade over a month or two, although some people may notice floaters intermittently long term.

However, if you suddenly experience more floaters and flashes than normal, it is important to see your eye doctor right away. This could be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment and may need to be treated quickly. This is a rare consequence of a PVD, but it does need to be evaluated.

3 Ways to Get Rid of Eye Floaters

Treating eye floaters depends on the underlying cause. Some cases are harmless, while more severe cases can affect your vision. If floaters begin to impair your vision, there are treatments available to make them less noticeable or remove them.

1. Ignore them

Most commonly, the best treatment is no treatment at all. In many cases, eye floaters will fade or disappear on their own. If they do not fade, your brain may learn to ignore them over time. As a result, your vision adapts and you notice them less frequently. They often become tolerable and intermittent.

Coping with eye floaters is the least invasive option to protect your eyes. If floaters become a nuisance or begin to impair your vision, discuss your options with your eye doctor.

2. Laser Floater Treatment (Laser Vitreolysis)

Laser therapy involves aiming lasers directly at the eye floaters. This can cause them to break up and may reduce their presence. This treatment is more commonly recommended for large floaters that significantly impair vision

3. Vitrectomy – “Floaterectomy”

Some patients have vitreous floaters that are severe or bothersome enough to consider surgical removal. These patients may have extensive clouds of debris in the vitreous cavity that move in and out of vision, affecting their ability to function normally. They may complain that they cannot read continuously or that a cloud moves into their vision while driving, making them feel unsafe.

Vitrectomy is an outpatient surgery performed with local anesthesia. During the procedure, floaters and vitreous debris are removed through a small incision. Nearly all of the vitreous is removed, and with it, almost all vitreous opacities.

Risks associated with vitrectomy include, but are not limited to, cataract formation, retinal tear or detachment, macular pucker, and macular edema (swelling). There is also a small risk of vision loss.

Should I Seek Treatment for Eye Flashes and Floaters?

Concerns about seeing spots are natural, and most of the time they are simply part of the aging process. We encourage you to see our doctors about any visual concerns or problems you are experiencing. The decision to treat is based on patient complaints, symptoms, and exam findings.

At LaserVue Eye Center, we provide care for posterior vitreous detachments.
Please call 1-800-527-3745 to schedule your appointment today.

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