Floaters and Flashes

Definition

"You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. These are called floaters. 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 vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye.

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Description

"While these objects look like they are in the front of your eye, they are actually floating inside. What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the nerve 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.

The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. An ophthalmologist should be consulted right away if floaters develop suddenly in a person over 45 years of age. 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 new floaters. A torn retina is always a serious problem since it can lead to a retinal detachment.

While floaters may remain in the vision, many of them will fade over time and become less bothersome. Even if you have had floaters for some years, an ophthalmologist should be consulted if new ones develop.

Flashing Lights

When the vitreous gel rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what looks like flashing lights or lightning streaks. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars."

The flashes of light can appear on and off 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, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist to see if the retina has been torn.

Migraine

Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or "heat waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10 to 20 minutes. These types of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain, which is called migraine.

If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a headache. However, jagged lines or "heat waves" can occur without a migraine headache. In this case, the light flashes are called ophthalmic migraine, or migraine without headache.

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Causes

"When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. This is a common cause of floaters.

Posterior vitreous detachment is more common for people who:

• Are nearsighted (have myopia)

• Have undergone cataracts operations

• Have had inflammation inside the eye

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor

"What is causing the floaters and flashes?

Is there any retinal damage?

Is it related to migraine?

Is any treatment necessary at this time?

Are there any signs or symptoms?

Will the floaters and flashes disappear?

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• Senior Conditions/Diseases
• Senior Health
• Eye and Vision