What You Should Know About Floaters and Flashes.
It’s common for people to see small specks or clouds in the field of
vision. Known as floaters, these are easiest to see on cloudy or snowy
days when the view is white or light-colored.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters may appear to be floating in front of your eye, but they are
actually inside your eye. You are actually seeing the shadows that
come
from tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, which is a
clear,
jelly-like material inside the eye. These shadowy floaters can look
like
tiny dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs.
What Causes Floaters?
As you reach middle age, the vitreous gel may thicken or shrink,
forming
tiny clumps within the eye. The vitreous gel may pull away from the
back
of the wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. This
is
more common in people who are nearsighted, have undergone cataract
surgery, have had laser surgery, or have had inflammation of the eye.
If you suddenly develop new floaters, especially if you are older than
45, see your ophthalmologist right away.
Are Floaters Serious?
They are very common, and are not usually serious. In some cases,
however, it is important to notice if new floaters suddenly develop or
become more numerous. If the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from
the
wall of the eye, retina can tear. This can lead to retinal detachment,
which is very serious. See your ophthalmologist if you notice new
floaters or an increase in their numbers, especially if you notice
flashes of light.
What Is the Treatment for Floaters?
If floaters are caused by a serious condition, your ophthalmologist
will
treat that condition. For normal floaters, there is no treatment. They
can be very annoying, especially when you are trying to read. Try
moving
your eyes up and down to move them out of the way. Often, floaters
will
fade away over the years or you will get used to them. See your
ophthalmologist if you notice new floaters.
What Are Flashes?
Flashes are much like the sensation you have if you are suddenly hit
in
the eye. You see “stars” of flashes of light. Flashes occur when the
vitreous shrinks and pulls on the retina. This causes the sensation of
flashing lights. They can occur for several weeks of months, which is
more common in older people. If flashes occur suddenly, it could
indicate a torn retina, which requires immediate attention from your
ophthalmologist.
Can Flashes Be Caused by Migraine?
Migraine headaches are caused by a disturbance in the blood flow of
the
brain. Sometimes, people have visual disturbances associated with
migraine, which can resemble flashes. These flashes of light are often
jagged and can last for up to 20 minutes or so. A migraine headache
may
then follow the flashing lights. Sometimes, the headache doesn’t come
and the jagged lights are termed as a ophthalmic migraine or migraine
without headache.
How Does the Ophthalmologist Examine the Eyes for Floaters and
Flashes?
To check for the cause of these conditions, your ophthalmologist will
examine your eyes while the pupils are dilated. This allows him to see
into your eye and examine your retina and vitreous. The exam is
painless, but since your eyes have been dilated, light may bother you
and you may have trouble seeing properly. It may be necessary to have
someone drive you home. The medical examination helps your
ophthalmologist determine if the floaters and flashes are caused by
anything serious.
