Flashes and Floaters

New flashes and floaters can be the first sign of a retinal tear.  Retinal tears are usually caused a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), trauma or after eye surgery.  Not all flashes and floaters are indicative of a retinal tear, but there is no way to tell without a complete dilated eye exam.

Retinal tears can develop into a retinal detachment – a potentially blinding condition.

What are Flashes

Flashes are bright flickers of “light” which are more noticeable in the dark.  Patients often notice them when arising in the middle of the night in the absence of light.

Flashes associated with a retinal tear or PVD are caused by the vitreous gently tugging on the retina.  While the vitreous fills most of the eye, it is very adherent to the retina in certain areas.  The tugging stimulates the retina producing the flashing sensation.

Certain types of migraine or inflammation can also cause flashing.

Floaters

Floaters are roughly defined as anything clearly moving back and forth in your vision produced by eye movement.

New floaters are usually caused by a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and may be due to a change in the optical clarity of the otherwise very clear watery gel.

Flashes can be produced by the vitreous gently tugging and stimulating the retina.  If the vitreous pulls with enough force, a retinal tear can develop.  The retina is a very vascular tissue and has many blood vessels.  Bleeding may occur with the retinal tear causing the new floaters.  Cellular debris from beneath the retina can also migrate into the vitreous and cause floaters.

What Can You Do?

Patients who experience new onset flashes and/or floaters should communicate with their eye doctor or emergency room.  A complete dilated eye exam is necessary to ensure there is no retinal tear.   The best way to check for a retinal tear requires an eye exam.

A retinal tear can be easily treated with laser or freezing to prevent a retinal detachment.

Call us to make an appointment or Email Us!!

We look forward to seeing you.

Gregory Scimeca, M.D.
Ophthalmologist and Medical Director

Burlington County Eye Physicians
Eye Professionals, LLC (Millville, NJ)
Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Bucks County (Langhorne, PA)