Flashers are bright points of light seen when your eyes are closed.  They usually look like tiny dashes that form in an oval or circle.  They appear and disappear in an instant and sometimes can occur in only one eye at a time.  If you are nearsighted, you are more likely than farsighted individuals to see flashers as you get older.

Floaters are dark spots that move through your field of vision.  They can look like strands, cobwebs, specks, or other shapes.  Floaters become more noticeable as you age.  They can also be caused by an eye injury.  If they appear suddenly or increase in number, they can be a sign of an eye problem that needs immediate care.

Both of these conditions involve the vitreous and the retina.

The vitreous is the gel behind the lens of the eye and fills up the transparent void in the hollow center of the eye. 

The retina is made up of thousands of cells that collect light and transform it into nerve signals.  The signals are sent to the brain and turn into the images that you see.

Flashers are often caused by the vitreous pulling on the retina.  As you get older, the vitreous shrinks and causes it to pull away from the retina.  The gradual pulling away causes the bright bursts of light (flashers) you see when your eyes are closed.  If these flashes increase in number, it can mean the vitreous is pulling too hard on the retina and it can detach from the back of the eye.  When this happens, loss of vision can occur quickly.  In this case, you should see your eye doctor right away.

Floaters can be present before birth or can develop over time.  They are small particles that become trapped in the vitreous and remain there throughout life.  As we age, the vitreous also starts to break down and bits of protein can also act as floaters.  This is a common condition in people who are nearsighted or who have had cataracts.  However, this can also be a sign of the tearing of the retina and requires immediate medical attention.

Treatment of Flashers & Floaters

In most cases, flashers do not need treatment.  If they are caused by a detached retina, immediate attention is needed.  Depending on the size of the detachment, treatment can be done using a laser or by surgery.

In most cases, floaters also do not need to be treated.  Floaters become less obvious over time and rarely cause loss of vision.  If you experience floaters that appear suddenly or increase in numbers, immediate attention is needed.  If the retina is torn or detached, laser treatment or eye surgery will be done to fix the retina.

If you see flashes of light or dark spots:

• Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor
• Tell the doctor about any family history of retinal problems
• Indicate all health problems you may have, especially diabetes
• List any medications or over-the-counter drugs that you take on a regular basis
• Bring your eyeglasses or contact lenses to the exam

You can also:

• Test your own vision
• Check your eyesight under different lighting conditions
• If you smoke, quitting can improve the health of your eyes
• Learn to manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure

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