Most people notice a floater at some point. It might look like a tiny speck or a thin thread that drifts off when you try to look at it, and it’s easiest to see against a bright sky or a white wall.
Flashes of light are less common, and they can feel a lot more alarming. Floaters and flashes become an emergency when they appear suddenly, show up as a shower of new spots, or come with a shadow or loss of vision, because these can be signs of a problem with your retina.
Your retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist can check it closely and look for signs of a retinal problem before it affects your sight.
What Eye Floaters and Flashes Look Like
Floaters are small shapes that drift through your field of vision. They move when your eyes move, and they tend to dart away when you try to look straight at them.
You might see floaters that look like:
- Small dots or specks
- Thin, squiggly threads
- Rings or cobweb shapes
- Faint, soft shadows
Flashes look like brief sparks or streaks of light, usually at the edge of your vision. Some people compare them to a camera flash going off in the corner of the eye. You may notice them more in a dim room or at night.
What Causes Eye Floaters and Flashes
The inside of your eye holds a clear, gel-like fluid called the vitreous. As you get older, this gel turns more watery and small clumps can form inside it. Those clumps cast shadows on your retina, and you see the shadows as floaters.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) Explained
Sometimes the vitreous pulls away from the retina altogether. We call this posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), and it’s common with age. As the gel tugs on the retina, it can send signals that your brain reads as flashes of light.
PVD is often harmless. Occasionally, that tug can cause a retinal tear, which is a small break in the retina.
Flashes don’t always start in the eye. A migraine aura can bring zigzag lines or sparks of coloured light, sometimes before a headache begins. Your optometrist will ask detailed questions to help tell these apart.
When Floaters and Flashes Are an Emergency
Some changes need care the same day. Call our office right away if you notice:
- A sudden shower of new floaters
- New flashes of light, especially in 1 eye
- A dark shadow or curtain moving across your vision
- Sudden loss of your side vision
- Sudden blurriness in your central vision
A retinal tear can let fluid seep under the retina and lift it away from the back of your eye. This is called retinal detachment, and it’s often painless, so you can feel fine while your vision is at risk.
Eye drops and home remedies can’t repair your retina, so don’t wait to see if things settle down. If our office is closed, go to the nearest emergency room.
Who Has a Higher Risk of Retinal Problems
Anyone can develop a retinal tear, but some people have a higher chance. Your risk may be higher if you:
- Have severe nearsightedness, also called myopia, which makes faraway objects look blurry
- Have had a retinal tear or detachment before
- Have had eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
- Have had a serious eye injury
- Have a family history of retinal detachment
Tell your optometrist about any of these at each visit, even if the surgery or injury happened years ago. Knowing your risk can also help you act faster when something in your vision changes.
What Happens During an Eye Exam
Your appointment starts with a conversation. Your optometrist will ask when your symptoms began and whether they’ve changed since. Small details, like seeing more floaters after a workout or noticing flashes only in 1 eye, can help.
Next, we may use dilating drops to widen your pupils, the dark centres of your eyes, to see more of your retina. If an area needs a closer look, retinal imaging can help.
Dilation can leave your close-up vision blurry for several hours and make bright light uncomfortable. Arrange a ride home and bring a pair of sunglasses. If a shadow is blocking part of your vision, don’t drive yourself to the appointment at all.
Do Eye Floaters Go Away?
Floaters your optometrist has already checked and which stay the same are usually less concerning. Many fade over weeks or months as they settle out of your line of sight and your brain learns to ignore them.
Still, your eyes keep changing over time. Tell us about any new floaters, flashes, or vision changes so we can take another look.
Noticed New Floaters or Flashes? Book an Eye Exam
Floaters you’ve had for years are rarely cause for worry. A sudden change deserves a same-day call. Our team takes the time to listen, examine your retina carefully, and explain what they see in plain language.
If something in your vision looks different, contact EyeCare Niagara and book an appointment. We’re ready to welcome you!
