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Floaters and Flashers

Often times, when you hear someone describing a floater in their eye, they will refer to it as a spot, a bug, a thread, or even a cobweb in their line of vision. And very fitting to the definition of the word "flashes," when they occur, they refer to them as a quick lightning bolt. As unusual as this might sound to you, these truly are good descriptions of how these conditions appear in the eye of the beholder.

What are floaters and flashes?

Floaters are small particles of dead cells or other debris that become suspended in vitreous, or particles of the vitreous itself that degenerate in the normal aging process. As the particles float in the vitreous, they become noticeable when they pass the line of sight. Floaters can take on a number of shapes and sizes and will also seem to move at different speeds, sometimes drifting very slowly and the next time racing from side to side. Floaters become especially noticeable in a well-lit area when looking toward a white background.

 

Flashes are just what you would think, quick or long bursts of light. The flash is most commonly seen when in a low-lit background or in total darkness. They can occur with or without the presence of floaters.

What causes floaters and flashes?

To understand the anatomy of the eye, once you are beyond the eyelids and to the globe, the first part of the eye's optical system is the cornea. The cornea is following by the iris, and next in line is the crystalline lens. Behind the lens is a large space that is filled with a clear, jelly-like substance called the vitreous. The vitreous is optically transparent and allows light rays to pass through it to produce an image on the inner back surface of the eye called the retina. A floater is a particle that floats in this vitreous gel.

 

Floaters can appear from a couple of different reasons. The debris can become trapped in the vitreous during the development of the eye. Deterioration of the vitreous or surrounding tissue can occur causing small particles to break away. This is considered to more commonly affect nearsighted people and can also occur naturally with age. Another cause for floater to develop is a result of injury or disease. Light flashes come about when the vitreous begins to pull away from the retina.

When floaters or flashes occur, what should I do?

When either of these conditions occur, it is most important that you be seen for a thorough dilated eye examination. This type of exam will allow the physician to have a full view of the vitreous and the retina to make a careful diagnosis. Often times, once the overall health of the eye has been checked and documented, no treatment may be required. The eye should be monitored with periodic evaluations to assure no new changes are occurring to the eye. If a problem is found, an appointment with a retinal specialist should be arranged.

For more information, please contact the patient advisor by phone at 330-747-2733 or by email at info@eyecareassociates.com.

 

 
Disclaimer: The intent of this website is to educate users about eye care. Information found on this website is not intended to replace medical advice. Questions about treatment information should be addressed by your physician.