You’re gazing out the window or looking at a bright wall and suddenly notice tiny specks, threads, or squiggly lines drifting across your vision. Or maybe you catch a flash of light out of the corner of your eye — and nothing is there. If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. Floaters and flashes are among the most common visual symptoms patients ask about. Most of the time they’re harmless, but sometimes they can signal a serious eye condition that requires prompt attention.
Here’s what you need to know about floaters and flashes, including the warning signs that mean it’s time to call your eye doctor right away.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Floaters are small shapes that appear to drift across your field of vision. They may look like:
- Tiny dark dots or specks
- Squiggly lines or threads
- Small cobwebs or rings
- Translucent or grayish wisps
Interestingly, what you’re actually seeing is not the floater itself, but the shadow it casts on your retina. Floaters are caused by tiny clumps of protein fibers within the vitreous — the clear, gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eye. As you age, the vitreous slowly shrinks and becomes more liquid, causing these fibers to clump together and drift around.
Floaters tend to be most visible when you’re looking at a plain, bright surface like a clear blue sky or a white wall. They move when your eye moves and drift slightly when your eye stops, which is why they seem to float.
What Are Eye Flashes?
Flashes are brief streaks or bursts of light that appear in your vision, even when no light source is present. They’re often described as looking like lightning bolts or camera flashes, and typically appear at the edge of your visual field.
Flashes are usually caused by the vitreous gel pulling on or rubbing against the retina. As the vitreous shrinks and shifts, it can tug on the retina and stimulate the light-sensitive cells there — producing that unmistakable flash effect even in a dark room.
In some cases, flashes may also be related to ocular migraines, which can cause shimmering or zigzag patterns that usually last 20 to 30 minutes and then resolve on their own.
Why Do Floaters and Flashes Happen?
The most common cause of both floaters and flashes is a natural aging process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This occurs when the vitreous gel separates from the surface of the retina. PVD is very common — it affects approximately 50% of people by age 50 and 70% of people by age 70. Most of the time it happens without any complications.
Other factors that can increase your likelihood of experiencing floaters and flashes include:
- Being significantly nearsighted (myopic)
- A history of eye injury or eye surgery
- Diabetes or diabetic eye disease
- Inflammation inside the eye
- A family history of retinal problems
For most people, floaters that appear gradually and have been present for a long time are benign and can be safely monitored during your annual eye exam.
When Are Floaters and Flashes a Warning Sign?
While many floaters are harmless, there are specific situations where they can indicate a serious — and potentially vision-threatening — eye condition. You should contact your eye doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- A sudden increase in the number of floaters
- Floaters accompanied by flashes of light
- A shadow, curtain, or dark area moving across your vision
- A sudden loss of peripheral (side) vision
- Floaters that appear after an eye injury
These symptoms can be signs of a retinal tear or retinal detachment — both of which are medical emergencies. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back of the eye. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to permanent vision loss. The good news is that when caught early, retinal tears and detachments can often be successfully treated.
Bleeding into the vitreous (vitreous hemorrhage) is another serious cause of sudden floaters. This can happen as a result of diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure, or a blocked blood vessel, and requires immediate evaluation.
What to Expect at Your Eye Exam
If you come in with new or changing floaters and flashes, your Valley Eyecare Center optometrist will perform a dilated eye exam. During this exam, special drops are used to widen your pupils so the doctor can carefully examine your retina, vitreous, and optic nerve for any signs of tearing, detachment, or other concerns.
The exam is painless, though your vision may be temporarily blurred or light-sensitive afterward, so it’s a good idea to bring sunglasses and arrange for a ride home if needed.
In many cases, a dilated exam will confirm that your floaters are benign and simply a normal part of aging. Your optometrist will monitor them during your regular annual exams and will let you know if anything changes.
Can Floaters Be Treated?
For the vast majority of people, floaters that result from normal aging do not require treatment. Most patients find that over time, floaters settle below the line of sight and become less noticeable.
In rare cases where floaters are severe and significantly impair vision, surgical options exist — but these are typically reserved for extreme situations and fall outside the scope of standard optometric care. Your Valley Eyecare Center doctor will always be honest with you about what can be monitored and when a referral may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress cause floaters?
Stress and fatigue may make you more aware of existing floaters, but they don’t directly cause them. Brief flashes can also result from anxiety or blood pressure changes. However, if symptoms are sudden, increasing, or persistent, it’s always best to have your eyes examined to rule out anything more serious.
Are floaters more common as you get older?
Yes. Floaters become more common as the vitreous gel naturally changes with age. While people of any age can develop floaters, they are most frequently noticed by adults over 50.
I’ve had floaters for years. Should I still get them checked?
Long-standing floaters that haven’t changed are generally not a cause for concern and can be noted during your regular annual exam. The key is paying attention to any change — more floaters, new flashes, or any shadow in your vision are all reasons to call us right away.
How quickly should I be seen if I notice a sudden change?
If you experience a sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or any shadow or curtain in your vision, you should contact your eye doctor the same day, or go to an emergency room if your eye doctor is unavailable. These symptoms can indicate a retinal emergency where time is critical.
Schedule Your Eye Exam in Phoenix
Whether you’ve been noticing floaters for years or you’ve just experienced something new, the team at Valley Eyecare Center is here to help. Our experienced optometrists provide thorough dilated eye exams at both of our convenient Phoenix locations — so you can get the answers and peace of mind you deserve.
To schedule an appointment, call us at 602-242-6888 (Northern Ave) or 602-955-2700 (44th Street), or visit us at valleyeyecareaz.com.
