Flashes and floaters are common age-related occurrences and are the result of the collapse of the vitreous body inside the eye. While these visual phenomena are by themselves harmless and annoying, they sometimes result in serious complications.

What are flashes?

The vitreous body is an optically clear, fibrous gel that fills the majority of the eye. The gel fibers attach to the ciliary body near the front of the eye behind the lens, to the optic nerve, macula, and blood vessels of the retina in the back of the eye. The vitreous gel provides firm, yet flexible clear filler for the center of the eye. Aging and ultraviolet light exposure causes slow deterioration of the vitreous gel. It is replaced with clear vitreous fluid. The deterioration process continues without notice until retinal adhesions disrupt the process and result in the pulling of the retina, which the brain perceives as flashes of light in the direction of the physical tugging. The flashing continues until separation occurs.

Flashes are minute, momentary flashes that appear in the field of view with your eyes open or closed and in either light or dark conditions. They can appear simultaneously in both eyes. At this stage, these flashes are merely annoying and of little concern except to indicate that the process of vitreous collapse has begun.

What are floaters?

If the separation results in a tear of the retina, you may see a shadowy object often described as a "bug" in the vision that moves around in the field of view. This is a floater and indicates that a tear has occurred in at least the superficial layer of the retina. If the retina is completely torn, serious complications like a retinal detachment or a hemorrhage may result.

What should I do if I see flashes or floaters?

There is no need for an eye examination when you see only flashes but if you see floaters, it is a good idea to have an examination by an ophthalmologist. If there is a red tinge to your vision or the appearance of a "floating curtain" or waves in your vision, then an eye examination is necessary. As with many things in medicine, early detection of problems is important in order to decrease complications.

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