Other causes of floaters include the sudden release of blood cells from the retinal blood vessels or pigmented cells from underneath the retina into the vitreous jelly. Causesįloaters can be caused by normal aging of the eye when the vitreous jelly begins to shrink. While not all floaters and flashes are serious, you should always have a medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist to make sure there has been no damage to your retina. You notice other symptoms, such as the loss of side vision or if it looks as if a shade or curtain is being drawn over your field of visionįloaters and flashes become more common as we grow older.You see sudden flashes of light, especially if these flashes are persistent.One new, large floater or "showers" of floaters appear suddenly.You should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if: If you notice the sudden appearance of flashes, you should visit your ophthalmologist immediately because it could mean that the retina has been torn. As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes. These flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months. You may have experienced this sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and see "stars." When the vitreous gel inside your eye rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what looks like flashing lights or lightening streaks. You should see an ophthalmologist right away if you suddenly develop new floaters. The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. A torn retina is always a serious problem, since it can lead to a retinal detachment. In some cases, the retina can tear as the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye. Floaters often occur when the vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. What you see are the shadows they cast on the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see. Though these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside of it. Floaters can have different shapes, such as little dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye. You may see them more clearly when looking at a plain background, such as a blank wall. What Are Floaters and Flashes? Floatersįloaters are small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. Your Questions About Flashes and Floaters Answered: To view all 5 of the videos in this series, click on the icon in the upper left of the video screen.