Floaters and Flashes
Symptoms, causes, treatment, and when to see an optician
Overview
Floaters are small shapes — dots, threads, cobwebs, or rings — that drift across your field of vision. Flashes are brief sparks or streaks of light, usually in the edge of your vision. Both are usually caused by age-related changes in the vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. While they are common and often harmless, a sudden increase in floaters or new flashes of light can be a warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment, which requires urgent attention.
Symptoms
- Small dark shapes drifting across your vision — spots, threads, squiggly lines, or cobwebs
- Floaters that are most noticeable against bright, plain backgrounds such as a white wall or blue sky
- Brief flashes or streaks of light, especially at the edge of your vision
- Flashes may be more noticeable in the dark or in dim lighting
- A sudden shower of new floaters, sometimes described as a spider's web or curtain of spots
- A shadow, curtain, or veil across part of your vision (a warning sign of retinal detachment)
Causes & Risk Factors
- Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) — the most common cause, where the vitreous gel naturally shrinks and separates from the retina with age
- Age-related liquefaction and condensation of the vitreous gel
- Retinal tear — the vitreous can pull on the retina as it detaches, creating a tear
- Retinal detachment — a medical emergency where the retina peels away from the back of the eye
- Bleeding inside the eye (vitreous haemorrhage) from diabetic retinopathy or other causes
- Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis)
- Myopia — short-sighted people are at higher risk of PVD and retinal problems
- Previous eye surgery or trauma
Treatment Options
Most floaters are harmless and are caused by age-related changes in the vitreous gel. They usually become less noticeable over weeks or months as the brain adapts to them. No treatment is required for typical age-related floaters, and most ophthalmologists advise a conservative approach. However, if a sudden onset of floaters is found to be associated with a retinal tear, urgent laser treatment (laser retinopexy) or cryotherapy (freezing treatment) can be used to seal the tear and prevent it from progressing to a retinal detachment.
A retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical repair to prevent permanent vision loss. Surgery may involve a vitrectomy (removing the vitreous gel and replacing it with gas or silicone oil), scleral buckling (placing a band around the eye), or pneumatic retinopexy (injecting a gas bubble to push the retina back into place). Outcomes are generally good when treatment is carried out promptly, but delayed treatment can result in significant and irreversible sight loss.
In rare cases where persistent floaters are severely debilitating and affecting quality of life, vitrectomy surgery or YAG laser vitreolysis may be considered. These are not routine treatments and carry risks, so they are reserved for the most troublesome cases. The most important action you can take is to seek urgent assessment whenever you notice new symptoms.
Prevention Tips
- Floaters from normal ageing cannot be prevented
- Attend regular eye tests, especially if you are short-sighted, as myopia increases the risk of retinal problems
- Protect your eyes from injury during sports and manual work
- If you have diabetes, maintain good blood sugar control to reduce the risk of vitreous haemorrhage
- Know the warning signs: a sudden shower of floaters, new flashes, or a shadow across your vision requires immediate attention
When to See an Optician
Seek an urgent eye assessment the same day if you experience a sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow across your vision — these may indicate a retinal tear or detachment that requires emergency treatment.
Key Facts
- Category
- Urgent condition
- Typically Affects
- Over 50 (most common), but can occur at any age, especially in myopic individuals
- Key Symptoms
- 6 identified symptoms
Concerned about floaters and flashes?
An eye test can detect early signs. Book yours today.
Book an Eye TestRelated Conditions
Detecting Floaters and Flashes
The following eye tests can help detect signs of floaters and flashes:
- Standard eye test
- OCT retinal scan
- Visual field test
Protect your vision with a regular eye test
Early detection is key. A routine eye test can identify signs of floaters and flashes before symptoms become noticeable. Book yours today.
Book an Eye Test