Floaters and Flashes
What Are Floaters and Flashes?
Floaters and flashes often manifest as visual disturbances in one’s line of sight. While floaters can appear as tiny shapes resembling dots, lines, circles, or even spider webs, flashes come across as sudden, brief flashes of light. These phenomena typically arise when the eye’s vitreous gel either becomes more dense or starts to detach from the retina. Conditions like retinal tears, infections, bleeding, or tumors within the eye can also trigger them.
Read More
Although flashes and floaters might indicate minor visual issues, they could also signal more serious eye conditions. Regular eye examinations are vital for the early detection of these problems, preventing them from escalating into significant health concerns. If you would like to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, please contact our dedicated team at IC Laser Eye Care. We can assist you at any of our convenient locations in Bensalem, PA, Philadelphia, PA, and Hamilton, NJ, or at Suburban Eye Associates in Huntingdon Valley, PA. We’re eager to help you maintain optimal eye health.
How Are Floaters and Flashes Treated?
Many patients will encounter vision floaters at some stage in their lives. While some floaters are benign and may diminish with time, others may signal serious conditions, such as retinal detachment or tears. If you observe new floaters, especially if accompanied by flashes of light, it’s crucial to seek prompt attention from IC Laser Eye Care or Suburban Eye Associates. Immediate assessment and treatment for eye floaters become critical if a shadow appears in your peripheral vision or a gray “curtain” seems to obscure part of your field of view.
Our team is equipped to thoroughly examine your eyes for signs of retinal damage or other eye-related issues. In cases where a retinal tear is detected, prompt laser treatment in our office might be essential to avert a retinal detachment. For situations where the detachment is more severe, retinal surgery could be necessary. Should the floaters persist and negatively affect your daily life, laser vitreolysis might be considered. This noninvasive laser procedure uses a beam of light passed through the pupil to fragment the floaters, offering a pain-free solution.
What Are Some Common Symptoms of Floaters and Flashes?
As people age, experiencing floaters and flashes becomes a common occurrence. Not all instances of floaters and flashes signify a serious condition, but an examination by an ophthalmologist is essential to ensure there is no retinal damage. You should seek an ophthalmologist’s attention if you notice any of the following:
- A reduction in side vision
- Vision becoming shaded or appearing darker
- Persistent or new instances of sudden light flashes
- The emergence of a large, new floater or multiple floaters
Relief from Floaters and Flashes
Eye floaters and flashes may disrupt your vision, presenting an irritating issue. While they often diminish as time goes on, assessing them is crucial as they can indicate a potential retinal tear or detachment. At IC Laser Eye Care and Suburban Eye Associates, our team can examine your eye(s) to determine whether treatment for these symptoms is necessary. For further details or to arrange a consultation, reach out to a practice location near you today.
What Are the Symptoms of a Retinal Disorder?
Learn the signs of common retinal disorders like diabetic retinopathy, including vision changes, floaters, and vision loss. Book an eye exam today.