Seeing Flashes and Floaters

By John Choi, MD

What Do Flashes Look Like?

Flashes look like camera flash bulbs going off, lightning streaks, or the “stars” you see after hitting your head.

What Do Floaters Look Like?

Floaters are dark spots, circles, hairs or cobwebs that move around. They are most visible when looking at something plain like a white wall or blue sky.

What Causes Flashes and Floaters?

In short, aging. Your eye is hollow and filled with a gel called vitreous, like a balloon filled with water. When you're young the vitreous is solid and clear like Jell-O. As this solid vitreous ages it breaks down into liquid. This “melting” process can cause flashes and floaters as well as occasional blurry vision. When your vitreous is liquid enough, it will peel away from the inner lining of the eyeball. This peeling is called a posterior vitreous detachment and is a normal event. When the peeling starts you may have a sudden increase in flashes and floaters, enough to startle you. If this happens, you should see an eye doctor to have it evaluated.

Are Flashes and Floaters a Problem?

Flashes and floaters are in most cases harmless to your eye and vision. They are due to the normal aging changes of the vitreous and can be bothersome but don't damage your eye. Increased flashes and floaters from a posterior vitreous detachment can be extremely bothersome but again are harmless and usually get better with time. However, improvement can take weeks to months, and it's common to have some flashes and floaters permanently. Sometimes the vitreous tears the inner lining of the eye as it peels away (retinal tear). Once torn, the lining can split apart from the rest of the eye wall (retina detachment) like wallpaper peeling off a wall, which can lead to vision loss if untreated. Both a retinal tear and a retinal detachment can cause a sudden dramatic increase in floaters and/or flashes, so if this happens be sure to get checked by an eye doctor. If you do have a problem, your eye doctor will refer you to a retina specialist eye doctor who will treat it.

Can I Get Rid of My Flashes and Floaters?

The only proven method to remove flashes and floaters is a quick outpatient surgery in which the surgeon cleans out the eye. This is only recommended when the flashes and floaters are severe enough to interfere with daily activities such as reading and driving. Recently a laser treatment to zap floaters has been suggested to be effective, but more proof will be needed for wider acceptance by eye doctors. Most of us will do just fine living with our flashes and floaters.