Floaters or Flashes of Light

Seeing floaters (spots or lines in your vision), especially if sudden onset and/or if accompanied by flashing lights, is considered a serious condition that requires urgent attention. Floaters are frequently due to a condition called Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD), where the normally clear gel (called the “vitreous”) inside your eye starts to shrink and pull away from the retina in the back. The danger of this process is that the vitreous gel may tug too forcefully on the retina and cause a retinal tear, which in turn can lead to a retinal detachment resulting in partial or complete vision loss! Therefore, if you experience such symptoms, it is vital to get into our office as soon as possible for a thorough eye exam, where we will carefully inspect your retina for any evidence of tears. In the case that a retinal tear is identified, it typically can be treated with an in-office laser procedure to minimize the chance of progressing to a retinal detachment.

There are also other serious causes of floaters and/or flashing lights, including vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and uveitis (ocular inflammation). A complete eye exam is crucial to accurately diagnose the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.