Eye Floaters & Flashes: When to Worry | Brampton Eye Clinic

Seeing tiny specks drifting across your vision—or brief flashes of light at the side of your eye?

Floaters are shapes that move through your vision. Flashes are bursts or streaks of light without an external light source. Both can occur as the gel inside your eye changes with age, but new symptoms can sometimes signal a retinal tear or retinal detachment.

If you suddenly develop new floaters or flashes, seek urgent eye assessment. A dark curtain or shadow, sudden vision loss or a shower of new floaters requires immediate eye care. Don’t wait for a routine appointment.

What Are Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are small shapes that appear to drift across your field of vision. They may look like:

• Black or grey dots

• Squiggly lines or threads

• Rings

• Cobwebs

They move when your eyes move and are often easiest to notice against a bright background, such as a blue sky or white wall.

What Causes Floaters?

The inside of your eye contains a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous. As it changes with age, tiny fibres can clump together and cast shadows on the retina. You see these shadows as floaters.

Another common change is posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), when the vitreous separates from the retina.

PVD often occurs without damaging the retina. Occasionally, however, the vitreous pulls strongly enough to cause a retinal tear. An eye examination is needed to tell the difference.

A few floaters that have remained unchanged for years are generally less concerning than new ones. A sudden change in their number or appearance should be assessed urgently.

What Are Flashes of Light?

Flashes may look like lightning streaks, camera flashes or brief flickers toward the edge of your vision. They can be particularly noticeable in the dark.

They may occur when the vitreous pulls on the retina. Because this can happen with both uncomplicated vitreous changes and retinal tears, you cannot determine the cause from their appearance alone.

Floaters vs. Flashes: What’s the Difference?

Floaters and flashes can occur together.
Sudden symptoms need urgent assessment, even if your eye does not hurt.

When Are Floaters and Flashes an Emergency?

Warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment include:

• A sudden shower of spots or many new floaters

• New or increasing flashes

• A dark curtain, veil or shadow across your vision

• Loss of side vision

• Sudden blurry or reduced vision

New flashes or floaters after an eye injury also require urgent assessment.

A retinal detachment occurs when the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye—separates from its normal position. Without timely treatment, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Seek immediate eye care for a curtain or shadow, sudden vision loss or a shower of new floaters, particularly with flashes. If an eye-care provider cannot assess you promptly, go to an emergency department.

Can Migraines Cause Flashes?

Yes. Migraine aura can cause shimmering lights, zigzag patterns, bright spots or temporary areas of altered vision. It can occur with or without a headache.

These symptoms can differ from flashes caused by the vitreous pulling on the retina, but it is not always easy to distinguish them yourself.

Do not assume new or unusual visual symptoms are a migraine. Seek assessment, especially if they differ from your usual pattern or involve reduced vision.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Retinal Tears or Detachment?

Risk may be higher if you:

• Are significantly nearsighted

• Are older, particularly over 50

• Have had cataract or other eye surgery

• Have experienced an eye injury

• Have previously had a retinal tear or detachment

• Have a family history of retinal detachment

Retinal problems can also occur without these risk factors. Sudden symptoms should always be taken seriously.

How Are Flashes and Floaters Assessed in Brampton?

At Brampton Eye Clinic, our optometrists can assess flashes, floaters and unexplained changes in vision.

Assessment typically includes a dilated retinal examination. Eye drops widen your pupils so the optometrist can examine the vitreous and retina, including areas where a tear may develop.

Retinal imaging or other testing may supplement the examination when appropriate. If a retinal tear or detachment is suspected, urgent referral to an ophthalmologist may be needed.

Depending on the findings, you may also need a follow-up examination. New or worsening symptoms after an assessment should be reported immediately.

Seeing New Floaters or Flashes?

Many longstanding floaters are harmless, but new symptoms deserve attention.

Call Brampton Eye Clinic promptly and describe when your symptoms started, whether they are increasing and whether your vision has changed. The team can advise on arranging urgent assessment.

If you cannot obtain timely care, seek another urgent eye-care provider or an emergency department. Do not wait for a routine online appointment if you have a curtain-like shadow, sudden vision loss or a shower of new floaters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I worry about one new floater?

One new floater does not necessarily mean you have a retinal tear, but a suddenly appearing or unexplained floater should be assessed urgently. Do not wait for additional symptoms before seeking advice.

Can you tell whether flashes mean retinal detachment?

No. Flashes caused by uncomplicated vitreous changes can resemble those associated with a retinal tear or detachment. A dilated retinal examination helps identify the cause.

Do eye floaters go away?

Floaters may become less noticeable over time, although they do not always disappear. Once an examination has ruled out a problem requiring treatment, many people do not need treatment for the floaters themselves. Any new or worsening symptoms need reassessment.