Issue 3.13
One of the more common visual complaints that we see in our office are reports of one seeing flashes of light and floaters. What are flashes and floaters?
Floaters: While these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside it. What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina. Floaters can appear as different shapes, such as little dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.
Flashes of Light: When the vitreous gel pulls on the retina, you may see what looks like flashing lights or lightning streaks. These are called flashes. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen “stars.” The flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months. As we grow older, it is more common to experience floaters and flashes as the vitreous gel changes with age, gradually pulling away from the inside surface of the eye.
Floaters and flashes are also caused by posterior vitreous detachment, where the vitreous gel pulls away from the back of the eye. This condition is more common in people who: 1) Are nearsighted; 2) Have undergone cataract operations; 3) Have had YAG laser surgery of the eye; 4) Have had inflammation (swelling) inside the eye; 5) Have had an injury to the eye.
The appearance of new floaters and flashes may be alarming, especially if they develop very suddenly. However, they can also be caused by something much more serious called a retinal tear or detachment. To find out if a retinal tear or detachment is occurring, you should call your eye care professional right away if you notice the following symptoms, especially if you are over 45 years of age, have had an injury to your eyes or head, or if you have substantial nearsightedness: 1) A sudden increase in size and number of floaters; 2) A sudden appearance of flashes; 3) Having a shadow or curtain appear in the periphery (side) of your field of vision; 4) Seeing a gray curtain moving across your field of vision.
Sometimes the vitreous gel shrinks enough and pulls away from the wall of the eye causing the retina to tear. This sometimes causes bleeding inside the eye that may appear as new floaters. A torn retina is a serious problem, since it can lead to retinal detachment. The only treatments for a detached retina are laser procedure or surgery by an ophthalmologist.
It is recommended that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye screening at age 40 and have yearly dilated eye exams after the age of 60. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Terry, call 435-986-2020.