Flashes And Floaters Specialist

What are flashes and floaters?

Flashes and floaters are two separate visual phenomena caused by problems with your vitreous humor and your retina. 

Floaters

Much of your eye is filled with vitreous humor gel. As you age, the proteins that make up the gel clump together and float in your eye. When you see a floater dance across your vision, you see the shadow cast by the clusters of protein as light travels through your eye.

As your vitreous humor thickens and clumps together, it can pull on your retina and increase your risk of retinal detachment. You’re more likely to develop floaters if you have severe nearsightedness, cataract surgery, or an inflammatory condition in your eye.

Flashes

Flashes might look like a streak of lightning across your vision or little twinkling specs of light that you might describe as “seeing stars.” 

You see flashes when your vitreous humor pulls or rubs your retina. Flashes are a warning sign that you’re at risk of a retinal tear or detachment, and you should seek immediate medical care at Retina Specialists.

What causes flashes and floaters?

Many eye diseases can cause flashes and floaters. For example, some of the conditions include:

• Your vitreous humor pulls away from your retina
• Retinal detachments and tears
• Blood or fluid leakage from the blood vessels in your eyes
• Infection or inflammation
• Eye tumors

Additionally, health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension can also cause retinal damage leading to flashes and floaters. Prompt attention from an expert ophthalmologist like the team at Retina Specialists can help protect your vision.

When should I talk to an eye doctor about flashes and floaters?

As a rule of thumb, if you start to see flashes, you should make an appointment at Retina Specialists right away. While flashes may be age-related, they often indicate a risk to your retina and prompt action could save your vision. 

Floaters, on the other hand, are often due to age-related changes in the consistency of your vitreous fluid. However, if you notice a significant increase in the number of floaters in your vision, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. 

If you see a shower of floaters or a grey curtain covers your vision, call Retina Specialists immediately as a sudden increase of floaters that shower through your vision is a sign of a retinal detachment.

What treatments are available for the conditions that cause flashes and floaters?

The team at Retina Specialists provide state-of-the-art treatments for retinal problems including laser therapy, intraocular injections, or minimally invasive surgeries to repair and reattach your retina. They can also perform vitrectomies to remove the damaged parts of your vitreous humor. 

If you’re concerned about flashes and floaters, call Retina Specialists or make an appointment online today.