Flashes and Floaters
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What are Flashes?
Having flashes in the eye, often at the edges of vision, is fairly common. Each flash, which can
vary from a bright light to almost a sparkle, can last varying lengths of time. You may have
experienced this sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen “stars”. The
symptoms can be more noticeable when going from a light to a dark room.
What causes Flashes?
Flashes are most commonly due to changes in the vitreous humour. The vitreous humour is the
jelly-like substance which fills the inside of the eye, between the lens and the retina. As we age,
the vitreous tends to pull away from the retina, which is referred to as posterior vitreous
detachment (PVD). This condition is harmless in itself and happens to most people as they get
older.
Flashes, on their own, do not always mean there is an urgent problem. However, if the
flashes are new to you, or you are also experiencing other visual symptoms at the same
time, such as dark floaters or patterns or shapes in your vision, you should seek a same-
day appointment with an optician or your GP to see if the retina at the back of the eye
has a tear or retinal detachment. Alternatively, you are advised to go to the nearest
Accident & Emergency department.
What are Floaters?
You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. They are called
floaters. You can often see them when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue
sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid
that fills the inside of your eye. While these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they
are actually floating inside. What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the nerve
layer at the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see. Floaters can have different
shapes: little dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.
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What causes Floaters?
When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps
or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall (retina) of the eye,
causing a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). It is a common cause of floaters.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment is more common for people who:
• Are short-sighted
• Have undergone cataract operations
• Have had YAG laser surgery to the eye
• Have had inflammation inside the eye
The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. You should
see your doctor or optician right away if you suddenly develop new floaters.
Are floaters ever serious?
The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall (retina) of the eye. This
sometimes causes bleeding in the eye that may appear as new floaters.
A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment. You should
see your doctor or optician as soon as possible if:
• Even one new floater appears suddenly or if there is a “shower” of black spots
• You see sudden flashes of light
• You notice other symptoms, like the loss of side vision or dark shadow across your field
of vision which is constant.
What can be done about floaters?
Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, which may be quite annoying, especially if you are
trying to read. You can try moving your eyes, looking up and then down to move floaters out of
the way. While some floaters may remain in your vision, many of them will fade over time and
become less bothersome. Even if you have had some floaters for years, you should have
an eye examination immediately if you notice new floaters.
It is technically possible to remove floaters, either with a laser treatment called YAG vitreolysis
(not available on the NHS at the time of writing) or by surgical removal of the vitreous (a
vitrectomy). This surgery is done by retinal surgeons after careful assessment of the individual
patient.
What will happen if the retina tears?
The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye which receives images and sends
them to your brain. If the retina tears, it may come away from the back of the eye and can lead
to a retinal detachment which can result in you losing part or all of your vision.
How is retinal detachment treated?
A tear may be treated by using a laser. If treated quickly you may have a better chance of full
recovery. However, if you retina has become detached, you will need surgery. The operation
may restore most of your vision but may come too late for a full recovery.
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Migraine
Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or “heat waves” in both
eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes (but can last up to an hour). These types of flashes are
usually caused by spasm of blood vessels in the brain, which is called migraine.
If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a migraine headache. However, jagged lines or
“heat waves” can occur without a headache. In this case, the light flashes are called ophthalmic
migraine, or migraine without headache.
How are your eyes examined?
Your doctor or your optician may refer you to an ophthalmologist at the Eye Department. Your
pupils will be dilated with eye drops. During this painless examination, your ophthalmologist will
carefully observe your retina and vitreous. Because your eyes have been dilated, you may need
to make arrangements for someone to drive you home afterwards.
Contact information
If you experience new flashes in your vision, or if you are having other visual symptoms at the
same time, such as dark floaters or patterns or shapes in your vision, you should seek a
same-day appointment with an optician or your GP to see if the retina at the back of the eye has
a tear or retinal detachment. Alternatively, you are advised to go to the nearest Accident &
Emergency department.
Your comments
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please contact the Patient Experience Team – on 0300 131 4731 or by email at: esh-
[Link]@[Link]
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Sources of Information
Understanding Retinal Detachment. RNIB and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. 2020.
Understanding - Retinal Detachment | RNIB
NICE clinical knowledge summary on Retinal Detachment. 2019. Retinal detachment | Health
topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
Association of Optometrists. 2016. Flashes and Floaters. [Link]/patients
Lowth, M. 2015. Flashes, Floaters and Haloes. Patient info. [Link]/health/flashes-
floaters-and-haloes-leaflet
Reference
Reviewed by: Paul Russell (Ophthalmology Staff Nurse)
The following clinicians have been consulted and agreed this patient information:
Mr. Kashif Qureshi, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Mr. Saruban Pasu, Consultant
Ophthalmologist, Matron Tracy Daniel, Eye Outpatients Bexhill.
The directorate group that have agreed this patient information leaflet:
Ophthalmology Department, Diagnostic, Anaesthetic and Surgery division (DAS)
Next review date: September 2025
Responsible clinician/author: Ophthalmology Department (ESHT)
© East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust – [Link]
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