Summary about Disease
Floaters and flashes are common visual disturbances. Floaters appear as small specks, spots, lines, or cobwebs that drift across your field of vision. Flashes appear as brief streaks of light, like seeing stars. While usually harmless and age-related, they can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition, particularly if there's a sudden increase in floaters or flashes, or if accompanied by vision loss.
Symptoms
Floaters: Small shapes (dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs) that drift through your field of vision. They are most noticeable when looking at a bright background, like a blue sky or white wall. Floaters appear to move away when you try to look directly at them.
Flashes: Brief bursts of light in your vision, often described as seeing "lightning streaks" or "stars." They are usually seen in the peripheral (side) vision.
Causes
Floaters: Most floaters are caused by age-related changes in the vitreous, the jelly-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. As we age, the vitreous can shrink and become more liquid. Clumps of collagen fibers within the vitreous can cast shadows on the retina, which are seen as floaters.
Flashes: Flashes occur when the vitreous rubs or pulls on the retina. This stimulation sends signals to the brain, which interprets them as flashes of light. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the vitreous separates from the retina, is a common cause of flashes.
Other potential causes: Eye injury, eye inflammation, bleeding in the eye, retinal tear, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, tumors.
Medicine Used
There is generally no medicine used to treat floaters and flashes. In most cases, floaters are harmless and fade over time or become less noticeable as the brain adapts. Flashes also tend to subside as the vitreous stabilizes. If floaters and flashes are caused by an underlying condition like retinal tear or detachment, surgery is needed.
Is Communicable
No, floaters and flashes are not communicable. They are not infectious and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Regular Eye Exams: Get regular eye exams, especially as you age.
Prompt Medical Attention: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden increase in floaters, flashes, a shadow or curtain in your field of vision, or vision loss.
Eye Protection: Wear appropriate eye protection during activities that could cause eye injury.
How long does an outbreak last?
The duration varies. For floaters caused by age-related vitreous changes, they may be most noticeable initially and gradually become less bothersome over weeks or months as the brain adapts. Flashes associated with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) usually subside within a few weeks to a few months as the vitreous separates completely. If floaters or flashes are due to retinal tears or detachment, they will persist until the underlying condition is treated.
How is it diagnosed?
An ophthalmologist diagnoses floaters and flashes through a comprehensive eye exam, which typically includes:
Visual Acuity Test: To assess your vision.
Pupil Dilation: Eye drops are used to widen the pupils, allowing the doctor to see the retina and vitreous more clearly.
Slit-Lamp Examination: A special microscope is used to examine the structures of the eye, including the cornea, lens, and iris.
Dilated Fundus Examination: The retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels are examined with special instruments.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): An imaging test that provides detailed cross-sectional views of the retina.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline varies depending on the cause.
Floaters from Vitreous Changes: Gradual appearance and then stabilization. The intial apperance can be sudden and alarming, but it will stabilise.
Flashes from PVD: Sudden onset, typically lasting for a few weeks to months.
Retinal Tear or Detachment: Symptoms are usually sudden and progressive. Increased floaters, flashes, curtain effect. Requires immediate treatment.
Important Considerations
Sudden Changes: Any sudden increase in floaters or flashes is a warning sign that requires immediate medical attention.
Vision Loss: The presence of a shadow or curtain-like effect in your vision along with floaters and flashes is an emergency that needs immediate treatment.
Underlying Conditions: While most floaters and flashes are harmless, they can sometimes indicate more serious conditions that require treatment to prevent vision loss. Don't ignore new or worsening symptoms.