Flashes and Floaters

Flashes of light or lightening streaks, often in the periphery of your vision, are caused by the vitreous gel tugging on the retina. They can appear on and off for weeks or months, in some people years. Floaters are due to the shadow cast by vitreous debris on the retina. They can appear as dots, circles, lines and cobwebs, and are commonly seen when looking at a bright background (white wall or bright blue sky). As we grow older the vitreous gel gradually shrinks, pulling away from the retina and commonly creating flashes and floaters.

While these symptoms may be quite benign, one in ten patients with these symptoms may have a retinal tear which requires treatment to avoid it becoming a retinal detachment. So it is recommended that you see you an Optometrist to determine whether further investigation or treatment is needed.

The following symptoms may indicate the development of a retinal tear or retinal detachment:

• Increasing flashes (intensity or frequency)
• Increasing floaters (more numerous or larger)
• Loss of vision
• Loss of visual field (the impression of a curtain in the vision coming down or up or sideways in the field)

Even if no treatment is required, the onset of new flashes and floaters usually requires a follow-up visit to ensure the retina remain stable with no development of tears over the following weeks.