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What are flashes and floaters?

Throughout the course of your life you may experience what many people describe as small specks of dust or cell like organisms floating across their vision. If you examine this situation closely you might also find that they move as your eye moves and blinking has relatively no impact on clearing vision. Almost everyone sees flashes and floaters at some time, but they can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as we get older. Despite the fact that these floaters appear to be in front of your eye, they are actually floating within the vitreous inside your eye. Understanding the relationship of this vitreous and your retina will be the key to unlocking the severity of this condition.

Understanding vitreous

The vitreous is a thick, transparent substance that fills the center of the eye. The vitreous is composed primarily of water and makes up about two-thirds of the eye's volume, thus giving the eye its shape.

Causes

There are a number of different types and causes of flashes and floaters. The most common type include the annoying little particles, which seem to move around on top of your eye. Listed below are some of the causes of flashes and floaters

Floaters

• Floaters are formed most commonly when small fleck-like opacities develop in or on the back surface of the Vitreous.
• Floaters can be seen because these opacities in the vitreous inside the eye can cast shadows on the retina. The vitreous becomes liquefied over time, and the motion of floaters occurs because of this fluidity
• Floaters can be due to variations in refractive index in the vitreous inside the eye resulting in shadows being cast on the retina.

Flashes

• Flashes are often caused by the vitreous pulling on the retina during a posterior vitreous detachment or with the development of a retinal tear.
• In rare cases, flashes of light are caused by neurological problems such as a migraine headache.

The importance of routine eye exams relating to flashes and floaters

Almost everyone experiences flashes and floaters at one time or another. It is safe to say that these flashes and floaters are very common. It is important to discuss this issue with a qualified ophthalmologist because the arrival of these annoying floating distortions can be a warning sign to something far more involved. Because the retina is a very sensitive part of your eye your doctor will want to evaluate the condition thoroughly. There is a possibility the condition could be harmless or a possibility of retinal detachment. Our ophthalmologists are sensitive to this scenario and urge all of our patients to come into the office for a dilated exam involving more specific tests.