What causes flashing lights?
Flashers feel similar to being hit in the eye and seeing "stars." The sensation of flashing lights is created when the vitreous – the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye – shrinks and tugs on the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see.

The flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months. As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes. If you notice the sudden appearance of light flashes, you should visit your eye doctor immediately to see if the retina has been torn.

What are floaters?
Floaters are small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. You can often see them when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous.

Although floaters appear to be in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside. You see the shadows they cast on the retina. Floaters can have different shapes: little dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.

What causes floaters?
During middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment – a common cause of floaters. This is more common for people who are nearsighted or have undergone cataract operations, YAG laser surgery of the eye or experienced inflammation inside the eye.

The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. You should see an eye doctor right away if you suddenly develop new floaters, especially if you are over 45 years of age.

Are floaters ever serious?
The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye. This sometimes causes a small amount of bleeding in the eye that may appear as new floaters. A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment. You should see your eye doctor as soon as possible if even one new floater appears suddenly, or if you see sudden flashes of light. If you notice other symptoms, like the loss of side vision, you should return to your eye doctor.

What can be done about floaters?
Floaters can be annoying when they get in the way of clear vision, especially if you are trying to read. Try moving your eyes, looking up and then down to move the floaters out of the way. While some floaters may remain in your vision, many of them will fade over time and become less bothersome. Even if you have had some floaters for years, you should have an eye examination immediately if you notice new ones.

Consult an Eye Care Associates doctor
If you have concerns about flashers or floaters, make an appointment with an experienced eye doctor at Eye Care Associates of Greater Cincinnati.