What Are Flashes/Floaters?

By John Choi, MD

Chesapeake Retina Centers

More Vision & Eye Care Articles

What Are Flashes/Floaters?

What Do Flashes Look Like?

Flashes look like camera flash bulbs going off or lightning streaks. Sometimes they look like 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?

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 the vitreous ages it breaks down into liquid. This “melting” process can cause flashes and floaters as well as occasional blurry vision. This is normal.

When your vitreous is liquid enough, it will peel away from the inner wall 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 due to the normal aging changes of the vitreous can be bothersome but do not harm your eye or your vision. 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 a sudden increase in flashes and floaters comes from a tear inside the eye, which can lead to vision loss if untreated.

So again, be sure to have any sudden dramatic increase in floaters and/or flashes 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 You Get Rid Of Flashes and Floaters?

The only proven method to remove flashes and floaters is a surgery in which the surgeon cleans out the eye. It is recommended only when the flashes and floaters are severe enough to interfere with daily activities such as reading and driving. Most of us will do just fine living with our flashes and floaters.