Eyes, Lids & Face by Dr. Maeve
Floaters/Flashing Lights Assessment
What are Eye Floaters?
Shapes or shadows drifting across people’s vision are known as floaters. There are different forms and sources of these floaters, such as small dots or irregular strands. Floaters are generally harmless and can become less noticeable over time, but they can also indicate serious conditions. In some cases, floating is an indication of serious eye conditions, especially when it is associated with flashes of light.
Causes
You have a clear, jelly-like substance known as vitreous humor inside the hollow space in the middle of your eyeball. Vitreous ages and liquefies, becoming less firm and displaying strands of a protein called collagen. When the eye moves, these strands swirl gently.
Floaters may be the results of a number of things including:
- Cataract surgery
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Eye disease
- Eye injury
You should only seek eye floaters treatment if they start to affect your vision. If this is the case, you should consult an optometrist or visit your GP. They will be able to check your eyes to see if you require further treatment or tests.
Eyes, Lids & Face by Dr. Maeve
Eye conditions related to floaters in the eye
1. Posterior vitreous detachment
As the eye ages, it is common for the posterior vitreous to detach from the posterior capsule, causing posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Around 75% of people over 65 suffer from PVD.
Eye floaters and flashing lights can occur as a result of PVD
2. Retinal tears and vitreous hemorrhage
By age 60, about half of people experience a harmless separation of the vitreous humour from the retina. In rare cases, this can cause bleeding, flashes of light, or a sudden increase in floaters — signs of a possible retinal tear that requires urgent treatment.
3. Retinal Detachment
If you have retinal tears, urgent treatment is needed as tears can lead to retinal detachment. When the retina separates from the wall at the back of the eye, retinal detachment occurs. This can lead to damaging your sight. Urgent surgery or retinal laser treatment is required to rectify retinal detachments.
Eyes, Lids & Face by Dr. Maeve
Floaters/Flashing Lights Assessment FAQ's
Eye floaters are shapes or shadows that drift across a person’s vision. They can appear as small dots, squiggly lines, or irregular strands, and are usually more noticeable when looking at a plain background, such as a clear sky or a white wall.
Floaters are generally harmless and often become less noticeable over time. However, in some cases, they may signal serious eye conditions, especially when accompanied by flashes of light or a sudden increase in their frequency. If these symptoms occur, it is essential to seek a professional eye examination to rule out any underlying issues.
Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes in the eye. As people age, the jelly-like substance inside the eye, known as the vitreous, begins to liquefy and shrink. This process can lead to the formation of clumps of collagen fibers within the vitreous. When these clumps move, they can cast tiny shadows on the retina, which appear as floaters in your vision. Other potential causes of eye floaters include:
Eye Injury: Trauma to the eye can lead to the formation of floaters.
Inflammation: Conditions like uveitis can cause inflammation in the eye, leading to floaters.
Retinal Tears or Detachment: In some cases, floaters may indicate more serious issues like retinal tears or detachment, which require immediate medical attention.
Other Eye Conditions: Diabetes and other systemic conditions can also contribute to the development of floaters. While floaters are often harmless, it’s essential to consult an eye care professional if you notice a sudden increase in floaters or if they are accompanied by flashes of light or a loss of peripheral vision.
Eye floaters can appear in various shapes and sizes, including small specks, string-like strands, or cobweb-like patterns. They drift across your field of vision, often moving when you try to look directly at them. Floaters are typically painless and may not significantly interfere with your overall vision, though they can be distracting at times. See your GP or optician immediately.