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This factsheet contains information about Occular flashers and floaters that you and your family or carers may find useful.
What are flashes?
Experiencing flashes in the eye, often at the edges of your vision is fairly common. Each flash, which can vary from a bright light to almost a ‘sparkle’ and can vary in lengths of time. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen ‘stars’. The symptoms are more noticeable when going from a light room to a dark room.
What causes flashes?
Flashes are most commonly due to changes in the vitreous humour. The vitreous humour is the ‘jelly-like’ substance which fills the inside of the eye between the lens and the retina. Eventually the vitreous tends to pull right off the retina. This condition is called posterior vitreous detachment. This condition is harmless and happens to most people as they age. 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. You should visit your doctor or optician immediately to see if the retina has a tear or retinal detachment.
What are floaters?
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 tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear ‘jelly-like’ fluid that fills the inside of the eye. While these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are 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, for example 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 (retina) of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). It is a common cause of floaters. 25% of people between the age of 50 – 70 years and 50% of people over 70 years can experience this.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment is more common for people who:
- Are short-sighted.
- Have undergone cataract operations.
- Have had a YAG laser surgery
- Have inflammation inside of the eye.
What can be done about floaters?
Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, which may be quite annoying, especially if you are trying to read. You can try and moving your eyes, looking up and then down to move floaters out of the way. Whilst some floaters may remain in your vision, others 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. Some people may be offered an operation by the ophthalmologist.
If you develop any of the following symptoms,
please seek urgent medical advice:
- A sudden increase in the number of floaters in your vision
- More flashing lights
- A patch of your visual field is missing from one eye (a large blind spot)
- Blurred vision in one eye.
- These signs and symptoms could indicate something more sinister such as a retinal tear or retinal detachment.
What happens next?
After being seen in ED you will be referred to an ophthalmologist who will examine the inside of your eye. This may not be the same day but you will be told when to attend the emergency eye clinic.
They are likely to administer eye drops to dilate your pupils. This will blur your vision for a couple of hours. Around 70 – 90% of people are discharged if their retina is found to be normal on a detailed examination.
People who are not discharged after their first visit are reviewed and managed accordingly.
Useful Information:
Emergency Eye Clinic
0900am – 1700pm (Monday – Friday) / 0300 613 9600
1700am – 0900am (Monday – Friday & Weekends) 0300 614 5000 – Ask for Eye Doctor On Call
If you have any further concerns, seek advice from your GP, Call NHS 111, visit https:/
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Emergency department (ED) service.
About this information
Service:
Emergency department (ED)
Reference:
A/014
Approval date:
1 November 2024
Review date:
1 November 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.