Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Flashing lights and floaters are common visual phenomena. They are often annoying and are a common cause for concern. These occurrences are usually associated with the eyes and can vary in appearance and severity. Understanding what causes these phenomena, what they look like, and how they can be treated is crucial for maintaining eye health and peace of mind. It is often a good idea to check your eyes as soon as you experience these symptoms. Delaying treatment and management could have a devastating impact on your vision.
Floaters: Floaters appear as tiny specks or spiderweb-like shapes that seem to drift across your field of vision. They are most noticeable when looking at a plain, bright background, such as the blue sky or a computer screen. Floaters can occur for several reasons.
- As we age, the vitreous, jelly-like structure inside our eyes shrinks and becomes more like a liquid. As the vitreous liquifies, it creates cellular debris that is often noted as floaters.
- Posterior Vitreous Detachments (PVDs) are common and occur when the vitreous separates from the retina. The floaters are noticeable as the vitreous can now freely move around the eye.
- Retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the underlying tissue. People may notice floaters caused by blood, pigment or clumping of the vitreous gel.
Flashing Lights: Flashing lights, or photopsia, appear as brief (less than a second in duration) sparkles or flashes of light in your vision. They are generally white, gold or silver, occurring when the vitreous pulls on the retina. Flashing lights can appear in posterior vitreous detachments, retinal detachments and often in migraines.
What do I do if I notice floaters or flashing lights?
Floaters and flashing lights are common and usually harmless. However, they can sometimes be associated with more serious conditions, such as a retinal detachment, which can be sight-threatening. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to contact your local optometrist in Canberra for a comprehensive eye examination. They will check your vision and dilate your pupils to thoroughly examine your eye, including your peripheral retina, to ensure your floaters or flashing lights symptoms are not associated with a retinal detachment.