Usually harmless, floaters or flashes could be a reason to call your doctor.
You’ve probably seen little squiggles or dots drifting through your vision when looking at a blank page or up into a clear sky. Nearly everyone has seen “floaters” at some point, and they are a common reason people schedule eye appointments. But how do you know if a floater is just normal, and when it could be telling you something important?
What Are Floaters?
Eyes are filled with a fluid known as vitreous gel. “Floaters” are simply clumps that have formed in that gel creating shadows on the retina, or background, of your eye. These shadows can look like something drifting across your vision. Floaters don’t all look the same. People describe them as looking like all kinds of things, including squiggles, spiders, cobwebs, jellyfish, worms, spots, polka dots, or specks, which are all very normal for floaters. They appear most clearly when you are viewing a bright, uninterrupted surface like a blank white wall or a clear blue sky.
What Are Flashes?
Flashes are another typical reason people set up an eye appointment. Seeing a bright splash of light in your peripheral vision for no apparent reason can cause people to worry. But occasional flashes are rarely serious on their own. Flashes happen when some of the gel within the eye tugs slightly on the retina.
Bright spots are also associated with migraines. This is an entirely different condition than flashes. If bright shimmering spots, jagged bright lines, repeating blinking dots, or ‘heat waves’ appear in one or both eyes and last for a few minutes up to an hour, this is likely an ocular migraine. If a headache accompanies or follows these bright spots, it is considered a migraine headache.
Changes to Aging Eyes
As we age, the gel within our eyes becomes more liquid. This doesn’t happen at the same rate for everyone, so some of the thicker gel can form clumps or strands. Occasionally the more liquid-like gel shrinks enough that it separates from the retina completely which is called PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment). This is not a disease and isn’t especially serious. It is a natural age-related change within the eye, and it will happen to most people around the age of 70.
People who are nearsighted or have diabetes may experience PVD at an earlier age, and it can happen after an eye injury or after cataract surgery. Most people won’t notice any changes to their vision with PVD, other people may notice more floaters.
When to Call Your Doctor Right Away
Most of the time, floaters and flashes are harmless. However, if you experience the following symptoms it could be more serious and you should not wait to call your doctor:
- Many new floaters
- A lot of flashes
- A shadow appears in your peripheral vision
- Your peripheral vision seems to be dark
- A gray or shadowy ‘curtain’ covers part of your vision
These symptoms could mean you have a tear in your retina, or that the retina has pulled away from the back tissue of the eye, known as a detached retina. These are both serious conditions that need to be treated right away so that you don’t risk losing vision in that eye.
Eye Exams When You Have Floaters or Flashes
It can be difficult to know what to say to your eye doctor if you have floaters or flashes. Most people don’t know how to describe what they are experiencing other than “I see stuff floating around,” or “I saw a bright flash but nothing happened.” If you’re experiencing floaters or you’ve had a flash or two in the last few months, it’s worth sharing that information with your eye doctor. Here are a few things to observe and share with your eye doctor:
- If you’ve noticed more floaters and what they look like (spots, cobwebs, worms)
- If the floaters or flashes seem to appear in both eyes or just one
- If you’ve seen a flash and then experienced more floaters
- If you’ve had a head or eye injury, or cataract surgery
At a comprehensive eye exam with dilation, your eye doctor will be able to detect floaters and inspect your retina to make sure everything looks healthy and normal. Eye exams should be painless. Even if your doctor presses lightly on your eyelids, there should be very little discomfort. If something does hurt, make sure you say something to your doctor, as it could be a sign that something is wrong. If your eye doctor sees something concerning, they can refer you to a specialist for treatment.
Regular Eye Exams Maintain Eye Health as You Age
While flashes and floaters are usually harmless, you know how your vision usually looks. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t wait for your annual eye exam to mention it. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor right away.
Protecting your eye health as you age includes caring for your eyes regularly. At your annual eye exam, plan ahead and schedule your next exam for the following year. Wear high quality UV blocking sunglasses. Manage your blood pressure. Stay hydrated. And eat a nutritious diet that includes fish, or other sources of omega-3, and colorful vegetables. All of these steps help your eyes stay healthy and protect your vision.
A Heritage of Wellness
At Heritage, we connect you with the best care available so that you can get the information you need. Our carefully selected providers are part of a nation-wide network that includes all 50 states. If you are already a member of the Heritage family you can find an eye doctor through our Provider Search tool. If you are new to Heritage and do not currently have vision insurance, we can connect you with world-class care through our affordable individual and family plans individual and family plans. We are here to help you keep your eyes healthy!