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Floaters or Flashes of Light

Floaters or Flashes of Light

Floaters or flashes of light are not uncommon phenomena. They often catch your attention when they occur suddenly or increase in number. Although often benign, they can sometimes indicate serious eye conditions that need immediate attention.

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Note: Home Sample Collection is only for Pathology lab tests.

What are floaters and flashes, and how do they relate to eye and vision disorders?

Floaters are small specks or clouds that move in your field of vision, often appearing as tiny dots, circles, lines, or cobwebs. Flashes, on the other hand, appear as lightning streaks or blinking stars. Both floaters and flashes occur due to changes in the vitreous gel inside your eye. However, they can also signal more serious conditions, like a retinal detachment.

What conditions can cause floaters or flashes?

Floaters commonly result from age-related changes in the vitreous gel. Other causes include inflammation in the eye, bleeding in the eye, or torn or detached retina. Flashes often occur when the vitreous gel tugs on the retina, but can also be a sign of a retinal detachment, migraine headaches, or other eye conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The diagnosis starts with a thorough medical history and physical examination, including an eye examination. Your doctor may use a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope to look at the back of your eye, including the retina and vitreous. Other tests may include visual acuity and visual field tests.

An ophthalmoscope allows your doctor to examine the structures at the back of your eye in detail. It can help identify any abnormalities in the retina or vitreous that could be causing floaters or flashes.

'Red flag' symptoms that might accompany floaters or flashes include a sudden increase in the number of floaters, sudden onset of flashes, loss of peripheral vision, or a grey curtain moving across your field of vision. These symptoms could indicate a retinal detachment, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

If you're experiencing floaters or flashes, you should initially consult your primary care doctor. Depending on the suspected cause, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist, a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems.

While most floaters and flashes occur due to natural aging processes or eye conditions, some factors might increase your risk. These include nearsightedness, eye trauma, complications from cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, and inflammatory eye diseases.

Maintaining regular eye check-ups, especially if you're at higher risk, can help detect and manage potential problems early. Also, protecting your eyes from injury, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to overall eye health.

Treatment for floaters or flashes depends on the underlying cause. If they're due to age-related changes in the vitreous gel, no specific treatment may be needed other than monitoring for changes. If a retinal detachment is causing the symptoms, urgent surgical intervention might be required.

In most cases, floaters and flashes don't completely disappear but can become less noticeable over time. If they're due to a specific treatable condition, addressing that underlying cause can help reduce the symptoms.

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