Flashes and Floaters

Though flashes and floaters are common eye symptoms, you should schedule an eye examination right away if you’re experiencing a sudden increase in these symptoms. Flashes and floaters can be signs that you’ve damaged your retina. Jason Chien, MD, and the experienced team at Prestige Retina in Allen, Texas, use cutting-edge diagnostic tools to evaluate your eyes and retina and provide treatments to improve eye health. To find out what’s causing your flashes and floaters, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What are flashes and floaters?

Floaters and flashes are visual phenomena caused by changes in your eyes. 

Flashes

Flashes occur when the vitreous gel pulls or rubs on your retina. You may see a single sparkle or a lightning streak or flash. Flashes become more common as you age, and your vitreous fluid changes its texture.

Floaters 

Floaters are the gray or translucent specks that float across your field of vision. They’re more visible when you’re looking at a plain background like a clear sky, a blank wall, or even the white background of your Word document on your computer. 

When the vitreous fluid in your eye starts to thicken or shrink, the cells stick together and are suspended in your eyeball. When light passes through your eye, it casts shadows of the clumps of cells onto your retina, and you see floaters.

When should I talk to an eye doctor about flashes and floaters?

You should make an appointment at Prestige Retina if you have a sudden increase of floaters or if it looks like a shower of floaters is obstructing your vision. Similarly, if you suddenly start to see a lot of flashes or if they persistently appear in your vision, schedule an exam. A sudden change in your vision or an increase in floaters or flashes is a warning sign of issues like retinal detachment.

What causes flashes and floaters?

As mentioned, floaters and flashes occur naturally as the vitreous gel in your eyeballs changes with age. However, retinal detachment or a sudden release of blood from your retinal blood vessels can also cause floaters and flashes. 

Your risk of floaters and flashes, as well as retinal detachment, increases if you’re severely nearsighted. Other risk factors include uveitis and intraocular surgery.

How are the causes of flashes and floaters treated?

The team at Prestige Retina offers customized treatments depending on the cause of your floaters and flashes. During your comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Chien looks for retinal damage and changes to your vitreous gel. If your floaters and flashes are due to the aging process, they may recommend waiting and watching for future changes. Dr. Chien can provide specific advice on what symptoms indicate a vision emergency.

However, if you have retina damage, Dr. Chien may recommend laser surgery to repair your retina or vitreoretinal surgery to restore and preserve your vision.

Call Prestige Retina or make an appointment online today for a comprehensive eye exam and treatment for the conditions that cause flashes and floaters.