Flashes and Floaters
Flashes and floaters are common as we age and often appear from time to time without causing harm. While they're usually painless and benign, a sudden increase in flashes and floaters can indicate a more serious retinal condition that requires prompt evaluation to prevent potential vision loss.
What are Flashes and Floaters?
Flashes typically appear as sudden bursts of light in your field of vision. They can look like streaks of lightning, twinkling stars, or small spotlights. It's possible to experience flashes on and off for weeks or even months. They're commonly associated with conditions like posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), when the vitreous, the clear substance that fills your eye, pulls away from the back of the eye.
Floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells in the vitreous that cast shadows on the retina. They can look like dark or transparent squiggly lines, spots, specks, or spider-web-like patterns in your vision. Floaters are more common with PVD, but they can also occur independently of it.
Diagnosing Flashes and Floaters
Many people who experience flashes and floaters can describe what they're seeing to their doctors. However, a retina specialist may also use in-office tests to screen for other retinal conditions. The primary method used is a comprehensive eye exam, which includes pupil dilation. They may also perform an ultrasound to get a clearer view of the retina.
When to See a Retina Specialist About Flashes and Floaters
Flashes and floaters are common, making it challenging to determine whether they're harmless or a sign of a more serious retinal condition. However, if you experience a sudden increase in floaters, new or frequent flashes of light, a dark curtain or shadow in your vision, or sudden vision loss, it’s crucial that you see a retina specialist as soon as possible. These symptoms could indicate retinal detachment, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Treating Flashes and Floaters
In most cases, flashes and floaters don't require treatment. While these symptoms can be bothersome at times, they are usually mild, and the brain often adapts to them. However, if floaters start to significantly affect your daily activities, your retina specialist may recommend laser surgery to vaporize the floater, making it smaller or eliminating it.
Schedule a Flashes and Floaters Consultation Today
At Retina Consultants, PLLC, our team of experienced retina specialists can diagnose and treat a wide variety of retinal conditions, including flashes and floaters. Request an appointment today at one of our retina centers in Charleston, Parkersburg, Beckley, or Huntington.