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 You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in
your field of vision. They are called floaters. 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, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of
your eye.
Although the floaters appear to be in front of the eye, they
are actually floating in the vitreous fluid inside the eye.
While these objects look like they are in front of your eye,
they are actually floating inside. What you see are the shadows
they cast on the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye
that senses light and allows you to see.
Floaters can have different shapes: little dots, circles,
lines, clouds or cobwebs.
What causes floaters?
When people reach 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. It is a common cause of
floaters.
Posterior vitreous detachment is more common for people
who:
- Are nearsighted
- Have undergone cataract operations
- Have had YAG laser surgery of the eye
- Have had inflammation inside the eye
The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they
develop suddenly. You should see an ophthalmologist (a medical
eye physician) 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 a serious problem, since it can lead to a
retinal detachment. You should see your ophthalmologist as soon
as possible if:
-- Even one new floater appears suddenly
-- You see sudden flashes of light
If you notice other symptoms, like the loss of side vision,
you should return to your ophthalmologist.
What can be done about floaters?
Because you need to know if your retina is torn, call your
ophthalmologist if a new floater appears suddenly.
Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, which may be
quite annoying, especially if you are trying to read. You can 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.
What causes flashing lights?
 When the vitreous gel rubs or pulls
on the retina, you may see what look like flashing lights or
lightning streaks. You may have experienced this same sensation
if you have ever been hit in the eye and saw "stars"
(click on photo to enlarge).
When the vitreous rubs or pulls on the retina, it creates a
sensation of flashing lights.
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 ophthalmologist immediately to see if the retina has
been torn.
Migraine
Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged
lines or "heat waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10-20
minutes. These types of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of
blood vessels in the brain, which is called migraine.
If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a migraine
headache. However, jagged lines or "heat waves" can
occur without a headache. In this case, the light flashes are
called ophthalmic migraine, or migraine without headache.
How are your eyes examined?
When an ophthalmologist examines your eyes, your pupils will
be dilated with eye drops. During this painless examination, your
ophthalmologist will carefully observe your retina and vitreous.
Because your eyes have been dilated, you may need to make
arrangements for someone to drive you home afterwards.
Floaters and flashes of light become more common as we grow
older. While not all floaters and flashes are serious, you should
always have a medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist to
make sure there has been no damage to your retina.
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