Floaters are small spots, lines, circles, or cobwebs and strands that appear spontaneously and seem to be floating in your line of sight.
They are most noticeable in bright light, outside, or when looking at a light wall, ceiling, or piece of paper. They seem to float away if you try to focus on them.
Most commonly, they are quite harmless natural particles inside the eye. In fact, 70% of people experience floaters at some time.
Flashes occur when the gel-like fluid (vitreous) inside the eye begins to pull away from the retina and, in doing so, causes the brain to perceive small bursts or flashes of light as it tugs on the retina.
They are momentary and last only a few seconds, and are most noticeable in dim light or on eye movement. Most commonly, this is a transient symptom of a natural process called Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) – or the gradual separation of the vitreous gel away from the retina.
This process occurs in every eye and is a normal part of the life cycle of each eye. Flashes associated with a PVD gradually decrease and disappear over several weeks.
The inside of the eye is filled with a gel-like substance called “vitreous.” It looks a lot like egg white. In a newborn baby, it is quite thick and viscous. As we go through life, this gel-like substance begins to thin and gradually turns into water.
The natural proteins and particles that are contained in it begin to form clumps and start moving more freely inside the eye. These particles cast a shadow on our retina, the inner lining of the back of the eye, where visual stimuli are sent to the brain for interpretation.
These shadows are interpreted as floating specks or lines. These tend to become quite noticeable in our 20s and gradually increase over time.
You are more likely to have floaters if you are:
Sometimes, floaters can become so numerous and bothersome that they affect your ability to perform tasks requiring fine focus and concentration, such as reading or driving.
Until recently, the treatment of debilitating floaters has been to perform a procedure known as a Vitrectomy. This involves carefully draining the intraocular fluid from your eye and taking the floater debris with it prior to refilling your eye with saline in order to allow the eye to retain its round shape.
Unfortunately, there's a small risk of infection, early cataract formation, and retinal detachment following vitrectomies.
Learn more about Vitrectomy treatments
A laser treatment option for floaters has become popular in recent years, however, it remains an off-label procedure without FDA approval. Under certain circumstances, your doctor might recommend eliminating large floaters by performing a YAG vitreolysis procedure.
The YAG vitreolysis procedure involves using a low-energy laser to break up the floaters into tiny fragments so that they barely cast a shadow on your retina, and you are therefore unable to make out the floating spots.
Learn more about YAG vitreolysis
When floaters and flashes first appear, it is important to have an eye exam to ensure they are not caused by a serious eye illness. You should contact an eye specialist immediately if you notice:
These painless symptoms could be signs of a retinal detachment or tear — a sight-threatening condition that requires immediate attention. Prompt evaluation within the first 24-48 hours is crucial to maintaining or recovering your full visual potential if a serious problem is, indeed, present.
The AGEI staff includes a highly-skilled retina specialist Dr. Svetlana Pilyugina, or “Dr. P,” as she is known to her patients. Dr. P is an ophthalmologist with Stanford fellowship training and board certification in diseases and surgery of the vitreous and retina.
Dr. Pilyugina has extensive experience in the treatment of floaters, flashes, and all retinal conditions. To schedule an appointment, either call 866-945-2745 or make an appointment online.
As a member of an elite group of only 3000 retina-vitreous specialists in the United States, Stanford trained Dr. Pilyugina brings to AGEI a unique skill set in the treatment and surgery of retinal disease. Her academic credentials include numerous research papers, conference presentations, medical publications, and clinical trials.