Floaters can range in size, shape and consistency and are often more visible when looking at a white screen or clear blue sky. A posterior vitreous detachment is a common age related change that causes a sudden large floater to occur. Floaters appear when the collagen fibrils and vitreous membrane become disturbed and go into your line of sight. As you age, the vitreous, which is made up of this gel-like protein substance, begins to dissolve and liquefy, creating a more watery consistency. Anyone experiencing symptoms of flashing lights and flashing spots should contact our office immediately for a detailed eye exam.Įye floaters are collagen deposits inside the vitreous humor that fills the space between the lens and retina of your eye. However, in some cases it can be a sign of a retinal detachment or bleeding. A: Spots and floaters are usually harmless.Q: I have “spots” floating around in my eye. Detachments need to be treated within 24 hours for the best prognosis in preventing permanent vision loss. Sometimes it could be the vitreous humor pulling at the retina in aging vitreous degeneration, but sometimes it could mean a dangerous retinal tear or detachment. A: Flashes of light in your vision could be a very dangerous sign! Something is tugging at your retina and eliciting these flashes of light.Q: Whenever I close my eyes, I see flashes of light in my vision, should I be concerned? It is a good idea to make an appointment within a few days to have your vision and eye health examined. However, it is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning we need to always make sure that isn’t any other ocular concern within the eye itself that may be causing your symptoms. Usually, these are harmless and indicates some sort of stress.
A: You may have just experienced an ophthalmic migraine or a migraine with aura.Q: I suddenly see random wavy lines, zig-zagging, and/or blotches of missing vision in my vision that last for no more than 30 minutes, should I be concerned? Flashing lights and floating spots can be an early signs of retinal problems. If the floaters and flashes are visible in daylight, and become frequent, you will want to come in for an examination to ensure your eyes are healthy. Small floaters can be shadows of objects in the retina such as red blood cells, or white blood cells moving through blood vessels. Specific aspects of the eye can produce images that are specific to each individual. A:Often when we close our eyes we experience entopic phenomenon, which are visual effects of components within our eye.4 Common Questions Asked About Flashers & Floaters Q: Why is it that when I wake up during the night and I lay there with my eyes closed I have a white flash like someone turning a white page in a book quite fast?