Floaters or flashes of light in your vision can be an alarming, nerve-wracking, or downright annoying. These disturbances may appear to be in front of your eye and in your field of vision, but in actuality are phenomenon occurring inside your eye. For the most part, flashes and floaters are the result of normal physiologic processes occurring within the eye. On occasion, they can be symptoms of more serious ocular conditions. Read on to learn more about what these symptoms mean.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters are what appear as small spots, lines, or cobwebs in your vision. Typically, they are most noticeable in specific lighting conditions, such as looking at a brightly lit computer screen or while looking at the sky on a cloudy day. Floaters are the result of normal changes to the gel-like substance that fills the eye, called the vitreous. The vitreous plays a vital role in giving the eye it’s shape and protecting it. In childhood, the vitreous has a texture similar to gelatin, but over time, it begins to liquefy. As clumps of the gelatin-like texture remain within the increasingly watery vitreous, they cast a shadow on the back of the eye (the retina), which creates the perception of a floater. Most of the time, floaters are harmless, but permanent, symptoms. Overtime, most people find that their floaters become less noticeable, or are easier to ignore.
Flashes of Light and Vitreous Detachments
Another relatively common visual disturbance is flashes of light in the peripheral vision. Like floaters, flashes of light are also caused by changes to the vitreous. While floaters are caused by the vitreous liquefying over time, flashes of light are the result of a process known as a posterior vitreous detachment, or a PVD. Normally, the vitreous of the eye is lightly attached to the retina at several points. As we age and as the texture of the vitreous slowly changes, these points of attachment weaken, and the vitreous begins to slowly pull away from the retina. This disconnection between the retina and the vitreous is a PVD. As the vitreous separates from the retina, it can slightly disrupt the retinal photoreceptors, which are responsible for detecting light. If this occurs, the photoreceptors can be stimulated by the vitreous, creating the perception of a flash of light. Typically, these flashes of light may be noticed sporadically for a short period of time, but they will typically discontinue as the vitreous becomes completely separated from the retina. PVDs are increasingly more common with older age.
When are Flashes and Floaters More Serious?
Floaters are ubiquitous and posterior vitreous detachments are increasingly common with older age. Most of the time, these findings are nothing to fret. However, in rare occasions, flashes and floaters can be a sign of a retinal hole, tear, or detachment. If flashes are occurring excessively often, or if new or unusually large floaters are noticed, then a trip to your eye doctor is warranted. It may be necessary to dilate your eyes to ensure there are no abnormalities with your retinal tissue.
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