What causes flashes of light in the eye?
Flashes can look like sparks, fireworks or lightning streaks in someone’s field of vision. They are a signal from the eye that the vitreous gel is pulling on the retina. This can be due to a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) which is a normal, age-related change of the eye, or it could be due to something more serious such as a retinal tear. It is important to get an exam by a retina specialist promptly if flashes are occurring because untreated retinal tears can lead to retinal detachment and severe vision loss.
What causes people to see floaters?
Floaters can look like small dots, wavy lines, or cobwebs in someone’s field of vision. They are usually caused by clumps of vitreous gel that are casting shadows on the surface of the retina. Floaters are most clearly seen against a bright background like the blue sky or a white wall. It is important to get an exam by a retina specialist if a person sees new floaters because they could be a sign of a serious eye disease.
Can floaters go away?
If the floaters are due to normal, age-related changes in the vitreous gel, the good news is that many patients find that the floaters become less noticeable over the course of several months. However, some patients develop extensive floaters that do not resolve completely. One treatment option for this is vitrectomy, a surgical removal of the vitreous gel and floaters from the eye.