What are eye floaters and flashes. How do they affect vision. When should you be concerned about eye floaters. What treatment options are available for eye floaters. How can you prevent eye floaters and flashes.

Understanding Eye Floaters: What They Are and Why They Occur

Eye floaters are a common visual phenomenon that many people experience at some point in their lives. These small, shadowy shapes appear to drift through your field of vision and can take on various forms, including spots, squiggly lines, thread-like strands, or even small shadowy shapes. While they may seem to be in front of your eye, they are actually tiny pieces of debris floating inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like substance that fills the space between your eye’s lens and retina.

The primary cause of eye floaters is age-related changes in the vitreous. As we get older, the vitreous begins to shrink and become more liquid. This process can cause tiny fibers within the vitreous to clump together, casting shadows on the retina and creating the appearance of floaters in your vision.

Common Causes of Eye Floaters

• Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
• Age-related changes in the eye
• Nearsightedness
• Previous cataract surgery
• Eye injuries
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Inflammation in the eye

Is the presence of eye floaters always a cause for concern? In most cases, eye floaters are harmless and do not require treatment. However, there are instances where they may indicate a more serious underlying condition.

When Eye Floaters Become a Cause for Concern

While most eye floaters are benign, certain symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention. These include:

• A sudden and significant increase in the number of floaters
• Flashes of light in your vision
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Sudden changes in vision quality
• Eye pain accompanying floaters

These symptoms could indicate more serious conditions such as retinal detachment, retinal tears, or vitreous hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions are crucial to prevent potential vision loss.

Eye Flashes: Another Visual Phenomenon to Watch For

Eye flashes are another visual disturbance that can occur alongside or independently of floaters. These appear as brief flashes of light in your peripheral vision and can be described as bright flickering spots, streaks of light, or even jagged lines resembling lightning bolts.

What causes eye flashes? Eye flashes often result from the vitreous gel pulling on the retina. This tugging stimulates the retina, causing the perception of flashes. While occasional flashes can be normal, persistent or frequent flashes, especially when accompanied by an increase in floaters, warrant immediate medical attention.

Common Descriptions of Eye Flashes

• Bright flickering spots
• Streaks of light
• Jagged lines similar to lightning bolts
• Bursts of light resembling camera flashes or fireworks

Diagnosing Eye Floaters and Flashes

How do eye doctors diagnose floaters and flashes? When you report symptoms of floaters or flashes, your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination. This typically includes:

1. Dilated eye exam: The doctor will use eye drops to dilate your pupils, allowing for a better view of the back of your eye, including the retina and vitreous.
2. Visual acuity test: This assesses how well you can see at various distances.
3. Visual field test: This checks for any areas of vision loss.
4. Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A non-invasive imaging test that provides detailed images of your retina.

These tests help the doctor determine the cause of your symptoms and rule out any serious underlying conditions.

Treatment Options for Eye Floaters and Flashes

In most cases, eye floaters do not require treatment as they tend to become less noticeable over time. However, if floaters significantly impact your vision or quality of life, there are treatment options available:

1. Vitrectomy

This surgical procedure involves removing the vitreous gel and replacing it with a saline solution. While effective, it carries risks such as retinal detachment, retinal tears, and cataracts.

2. Laser Therapy

Some eye doctors offer laser treatments to break up large floaters, making them less noticeable. This procedure, known as vitreolysis, is less invasive than vitrectomy but may not be suitable for all types of floaters.

3. Lifestyle Adjustments

For minor floaters, simple techniques like moving your eyes up and down can temporarily shift floaters out of your line of sight. Ensuring proper hydration and maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants may also help reduce the occurrence of new floaters.

Are there any risks associated with treating eye floaters? While treatments like vitrectomy can be effective, they do carry potential risks. These include:

• Retinal detachment
• Retinal tears
• Cataracts
• Infection

It’s crucial to discuss the potential benefits and risks of any treatment with your eye doctor before proceeding.

Preventing Eye Floaters and Flashes

While it’s not always possible to prevent eye floaters and flashes, certain lifestyle choices can help maintain overall eye health and potentially reduce your risk:

• Wear protective eyewear during sports or activities that pose a risk of eye injury
• Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids
• Stay hydrated
• Protect your eyes from UV radiation by wearing sunglasses
• If you have diabetes, maintain good blood sugar control to reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy
• Schedule regular eye exams, especially if you’re over 50 or have risk factors for eye disease

How often should you have your eyes checked? The American Optometric Association recommends adults aged 18-64 have a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years, and annually for those 65 and older or with risk factors for eye disease.

Living with Eye Floaters: Coping Strategies and Quality of Life

For many people, eye floaters are a minor annoyance that becomes less noticeable over time. However, if floaters persist in affecting your daily life, there are strategies to cope:

• Adjust lighting: Bright lights can make floaters more noticeable. Using softer, diffused lighting may help reduce their visibility.
• Use reading aids: If floaters interfere with reading, try using a magnifying glass or increasing font size on digital devices.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Stress can sometimes make floaters seem more prominent. Techniques like deep breathing or meditation may help you feel more at ease.
• Consider sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses outdoors can reduce the contrast that makes floaters more noticeable in bright light.

Can eye floaters affect your mental health? While usually harmless, persistent floaters can cause anxiety or frustration for some individuals. If you find that floaters are significantly impacting your mood or quality of life, don’t hesitate to discuss this with your eye doctor or consider speaking with a mental health professional.

The Future of Eye Floater Treatment

Research into eye floater treatment is ongoing, with scientists exploring new and less invasive options. Some promising areas of study include:

• Pharmacological treatments to dissolve or reduce floaters
• Advanced laser technologies for more precise and safer vitreolysis
• Gene therapy to prevent or reduce the formation of floaters

What advancements can we expect in eye floater treatment in the coming years? While it’s difficult to predict specific breakthroughs, the trend is towards developing treatments that are less invasive, have fewer risks, and are more accessible to a broader range of patients.

In conclusion, while eye floaters and flashes are common and often harmless, they can sometimes indicate more serious eye conditions. Being aware of sudden changes in your vision and seeking prompt medical attention when necessary is crucial for maintaining good eye health. Regular eye exams and a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preserving your vision and catching any potential issues early. Remember, your eyesight is precious – don’t hesitate to consult with an eye care professional if you have any concerns about your vision.

Eye Floaters: Should I Worry?

Dr. Russel Lazarus, February 11, 2021

Eye floaters can be a sign of serious disease, but now eye doctors can successfully treat with a range of very effective options.

What are eye floaters?

Eye floaters are small spots that can appear in a variety of shapes and shadows. They tend to drift or “float” through the visual field, and have the tendency to become even more noticeable after looking at a bright image or walking to the outside from indoors.

It is estimated that around 30 percent of the population notice eye floaters, yet the impact of this common visual problem on our quality of life remains hugely underestimated.

Though floaters may be irritating, they generally become less noticeable overtime, and they should not interfere with your clarity of vision.

However, if eye floaters start to bother you or affect your quality of life your eye doctor may be able to help you.

If you have floaters, you may see:

• Spots
• Squiggly lines
• Thread-like strands
• Small shadowy shapes
• Black or very dark spots

If eye floaters come on suddenly or change in shape or size, or you suddenly begin to see flashes in your visual field, contact your eye doctor immediately, as this may a sign of a serious retinal disease.

What causes eye floaters?

Floaters are made up of tiny pieces of protein, called collagen, that break off of the vitreous, or the jelly-like substance located in the back of the eye.

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)

As we age, the vitreous inside the eye begins to shrink and detach itself from the retina, this is called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

PVD is the most common cause of floaters and occurs when tiny fibers of collagen break away from the vitreous and join together, casting shadows onto the retina— and manifesting as floaters in your visual field.

Floaters can appear at any age, but typically begin to occur between ages 50 and 75. People who are nearsighted or who have undergone cataract surgery are more likely to experience floaters.

In rare cases, floaters can also result from:

• Eye injury
• Eye disease
• Eye tumors
• Diabetic retinopathy

Serious eye conditions that can cause floaters include:

• Retinal detachment
• Retinal tear
• Bleeding in the vitreous
• Inflamed vitreous or retina
• Eye tumors

If you suspect you have an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: The 4 Frequent Eye Conditions

Find an eye doctor near you

When should I worry about eye floaters?

Contact your eye doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: 

• A sudden and dramatic increase in the number of floaters
• Flashes of light
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Progressive changes to your vision
• Eye pain

The sooner you receive medical care, the greater your chances of protecting your vision and preventing vision loss. 

How can I get rid of floaters?

Floaters are a common occurrence and are a part of the natural aging process. If they begin to get on your nerves, believe it or not, moving your eyes up and down can make floaters disappear, at least temporarily.

Shifting your eyes up and down helps to move the eye fluid around and consequently, the collagen fibers as well.

In most cases, if floaters are not disrupting your quality of life, there is no need to treat them. 

However, if floaters begin to affect your vision clarity, your eye doctor may recommend a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. This procedure involves removing the vitreous and replacing it with a specific saline solution.

It is important to be aware though, that while uncommon, this surgery can pose some risks to your vision, such as:

• Retinal detachment
• Retinal tear
• Cataracts

If you notice floaters in your visual field, you can rest assured that in most cases, they are not a cause for concern. 

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

It is always a good idea to schedule an eye exam if you experience any type of vision changes to rule out any serious eye conditions.

Keeping up with your regular eye exams is the best way to protect your eyes and to ensure a lifetime of good eye health and vision.

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Eye Floaters: Should I Worry? »

What Are Eye Flashes? – Optometrists.org

Dr. Russel Lazarus, February 14, 2021

Have you ever been startled by the appearance of small flashes of light out of the corner of your eye?

Eye flashes

When eye flashes appear out of nowhere, they can be a cause for concern. Eye flashes can be a normal part of the aging process or can sometimes signal a serious retinal eye disease.

Eye flashes are typically noticed from the corner of one or both eyes, and can present in various shapes, colors and sizes.

Eye flashes can appear as:

• Bright flickering spots
• Streaks of light
• Bright jagged lines, similar to a lightning bolt
• Bursts of light, similar to a camera flash or fireworks

Eye flashes that appear similar to a lightning bolt are a common visual symptom of ocular migraines.

For many people, eye flashes may be more prominent first thing in the morning and slowly fade as the day continues. Others may only notice flashes when sitting in a dark room.

If you experience any eye pain or blurry vision, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: What Is Macular Edema?

Find an eye doctor near you

What causes eye flashes?

• Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD): This is one of the most common causes of eye flashes. This condition occurs as part of the natural aging process when the vitreous humor, the gel inside the eye, shrinks and detaches from the retina. A sudden onset of this condition can cause the sudden appearance of eye flashes or of a large floater in the visual field.
• Retinal tear or detachment: When the retina detaches from its normal position at the back of the eye, or a macular disease suddenly appears, total or partial blindness can occur.

This serious condition requires immediate medical attention.

• Optic neuritis: When the optic nerve becomes inflamed by an infection or nerve-related disorder it can lead to total or partial blindness.

This is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

• Increased eye pressure: This can occur from a head or eye injury, coughing forcefully, or from simply rubbing your eyes.

A sudden spike in eye pressure requires emergency medical attention. 

When to call an eye doctor 

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice a sudden onset of eye flashes along with any of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Partial vision loss
• Darkened vision
• Dizziness

Although in many cases, eye flashes are caused by posterior vitreous detachment, eye flashes can be a sign of a more serious eye condition.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Retinal Disease

If you see eye flashes, it is always best to schedule an eye exam to rule out any serious eye conditions that may require immediate attention.

Your eye doctor can treat the underlying cause of eye flashes and eliminate these visual disturbances while protecting your eyes and preserving your vision.

Seeing an eye doctor for regular eye exams is the best way to protect your eye health and vision.

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Guide to Corneal Conditions »

Tunnel vision: can loss of peripheral vision be a symptom of glaucoma or another eye disease?

From Gary Heiting, OD; reviewed by Kevin Chan, OD



1. Causes
2. Treatment

Peripheral vision loss refers to the absence of a normal, wide field of vision, even though central vision may be fine.

Moderate to severe loss of peripheral vision creates the sensation of seeing through a narrow tube—a condition commonly referred to as tunnel vision .

Symptoms of impaired peripheral vision may also include difficulty seeing in dim light and reduced ability to navigate while walking.

What causes loss of peripheral vision?

A common cause of loss of peripheral vision (also called peripheral visual field defect ) is damage to the optic nerve as a result of glaucoma.

Eye vascular “strokes” (occlusions) that block normal blood flow to the internal structures of the eye, including the optic nerve, can also lead to loss of peripheral vision.

A stroke or injury can also damage the parts of the brain that process images, resulting in blind spots (scotomas) in the field of vision.

Main causes of loss of peripheral vision:

• Glaucoma

• Retinitis pigmentosa

• Eye vascular stroke or occlusion

• Retinal detachment

• Brain damage due to stroke, illness or injury

• Neurological damage, e. g. due to optic neuritis

• Congested optic disc (papillary stasis)

• Concussions (head trauma)

  900 08

If you suspect you have lost your peripheral vision, contact an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination, which includes checking the visual field.

If there is a sudden deterioration in peripheral vision, contact your ophthalmologist immediately. Sudden loss of peripheral vision may indicate a retinal detachment, which is a medical emergency requiring emergency medical attention to avoid permanent vision loss.

Treatments for Loss of Peripheral Vision

Unfortunately, there are no simple vision correction options, such as regular glasses or contact lenses, that can correct permanent loss of peripheral vision. The lens, known as a prism, may be listed on an eyeglass prescription. It allows you to expand the field of view in case of certain types of loss of peripheral vision.

If you have glaucoma, the best “cure” for tunnel vision is prevention. If eye drops are prescribed, glaucoma medications must be taken regularly to control elevated intraocular pressure, otherwise you risk permanent damage to the optic nerve and blind spots in the visual field. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent loss of peripheral vision and even blindness.

Blind spots resulting from brain damage are also treatable. Researchers at the Eye Institute at the University of Rochester in the US have found that special vision therapies can help people recover at least some of the visual field loss associated with damage to the primary visual cortex.

Even if you have normal vision, you can use some techniques, such as those taught by sports vision specialists for training, to see better in the peripheral parts of the visual field. These techniques can be helpful, especially if you need to hone your peripheral vision skills for sports like basketball and baseball.

If you have permanent loss of peripheral vision, you should see a low vision ophthalmologist who can advise you on special spectacle lenses or optical devices that can help with the mobility problems caused by tunnel vision.

Also, be aware that impaired peripheral vision may affect your ability to drive safely. An ophthalmologist can tell you the extent of your loss of peripheral vision and whether your remaining vision meets the legal requirements for a valid driver’s license.

Page published on Monday, November 16, 2020

Sudden loss of vision – causes, examination and treatment, optometrist | Symptoms

T transient ischemic attack (transient blindness)
Signs: Blindness in one eye, usually lasting minutes to hours.

Blockage of the central retinal artery
Signs: Almost instant complete loss of vision in one eye. In patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis (high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids or smoking).

Obstruction of the central retinal vein
Signs: In patients with risk factors for the development of the following diseases (diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, a tendency to increased blood clotting or sickle cell anemia).

Vitreous hemorrhage
Signs: People who see flies, filaments, or cobwebs in their field of vision (floaters) or who have risk factors for vitreous hemorrhage (diabetes, retinal perforation, sickle cell anemia, or eye injury). Usually loss of the entire field of vision (not just one or more areas).

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis (inflammation of the large arteries of the head, neck and upper body)
Signs: Sometimes headache when combing hair or pain in the jaw or tongue when chewing, pain and stiffness of the large muscles of the arms and legs (polymyalgia rheumatica).

Ischemic optic neuropathy (damage to the optic nerve due to blockage of its blood vessels)
Signs: In patients with risk factors for such diseases (diabetes or high blood pressure) or in patients who have had episodes of very low blood pressure leading to fainting.

Macular hemorrhage (due to senile macular degeneration)
Signs: Usually in patients with age-related macular degeneration or in patients with risk factors for vascular disease (high blood pressure, smoking, or abnormal blood lipids).

Ocular migraine (migraine that causes visual impairment)
Signs: Irregular, flickering spots that move slowly across the field of view of one eye for 10 to 20 minutes. Sometimes blurring of central vision, headache after visual impairment. Often in young patients or in patients suffering from migraines.

Retinal detachment
Signs: Sudden spontaneous flashes of light that may look like lightning, spots or stars (photopsia) that happen from time to time. Loss of vision that occurs in one area, usually in the corners of the eye (peripheral vision). Loss of vision that spreads across the field of vision like a curtain. Occasionally occurs in patients with risk factors for retinal detachment (recent eye injury, recent eye surgery, or high myopia).

Strokes or transient ischemic attacks
Signs: Usually loss of the same parts of the visual field in both eyes. In patients with risk factors for the development of such diseases (high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, abnormal blood lipid levels and smoking).