Understanding Floaters & Flashes
Floaters are small clumps in the gel that fills the eye, casting shadows on the retina. They become more common with age and in nearsighted people. Flashes occur when the gel tugs on the retina. The most common cause of new floaters and flashes is a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), a normal age-related change — but a PVD can occasionally tear the retina.
Common symptoms
- Spots, threads, or cobwebs that move when your eye moves
- Brief flashes or streaks of light, often at the edge of vision
When to seek care right away
A sudden increase in floaters, new flashes, or a shadow over part of your vision should be checked the same day to rule out a retinal tear or detachment.
Office: (423) 243-3330 · After hours, Erlanger operator: (423) 778-7000
How Dr. Nicola can help
- Dilated retinal examination to rule out retinal tears
- Treatment of any tear found before it progresses to a detachment
- Follow-up examinations, since tears can develop in the weeks after a PVD
Frequently asked questions
Will my floaters go away?
Floaters usually become less noticeable over weeks to months as the brain learns to ignore them and they settle out of the line of sight.
This page is general patient education and is not a substitute for an examination. If you have a question about your own eyes, please call our office.