About Flashes and Floaters
Many of us will experience flashes and/or floaters at some point in our lives and usually it is nothing to be concerned about. We usually experience them as tiny spots, lines, flashes or shapes in your vision.
What are flashes?
As we age, the jelly inside your eye (the vitreous) becomes smaller and can pull on your retina (the light-sensitive layer) at the back of the eye. As it does this it can cause flashes of light to appear in your vision.
What are floaters?
Most people who have healthy eyes can see floaters. These can be spotted as lines, cobweb effect or spots within the vision and usually when you look at a plain surface, clear blue sky or a screen. The common cause of this is cells grouping together within the clear jelly in the eye causing a shadow on the retina.
All of these causes of flashes and floaters are due to natural changes within the eye. However there can be more serious causes for flashes or floaters such as bleeding within the eye or a tear in the retina.
If you are at all unsure you should seek advice from your optometrist or visit your local A&E and especially if you experience:
- a lot of new floaters
- floaters of a darker or brown colour
- experience prolonged flashes
- see a dark shadow or a ‘curtain’ in your vision
Flashes and floaters videos and downloads
What are those things floating in my eye?
This video is produced by the College of Optometrists and shows how floaters might affect your vision. Floaters are small spots or strands which cast a shadow on your retina. These can be semi-transparent or dark, and appear to float in front of your vision. If you move your eye to look directly at the floater, it will move in the same direction.
If you have any concerns about your eyes, contact your optometrist.
What can I see floating in my eye?
This video is produced by the College of Optometrists and explains that floaters are more common than flashes, and look like small, dark spots or strands that float in front of your eyes.
Floaters are very common and normally harmless. They are more common if you are short-sighted or as you get older. Some people notice they see flashes of light. These can be due to the movement of the gel inside the eye. Very occasionally, flashes or an increase in floaters can be a sign of retinal detachment, which needs treating as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns about your eyes, contact your optometrist.
