New Floaters or Flashes? When to Call the Eye Doctor the Same Day
At a glance: Call your eye doctor the same day if you suddenly notice many new floaters, new flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain over part of your vision. Floaters you have had for years and that haven't changed are usually harmless.
The floaters you have had for years don't worry me. The new ones do.
What are floaters?
Floaters are specks, threads or cobwebs that drift across your vision. They show up best against a bright sky or a white wall and slide away when you try to look at them. The inside of the eye is filled with a clear gel called the vitreous. Over time the gel turns more watery, and strands inside it clump together. Those clumps cast shadows on the retina, and the shadows are your floaters.
Why floaters increase with age and nearsightedness
The vitreous naturally breaks down as we age, so most people notice a few floaters by middle age. Nearsighted eyes are usually a bit longer than average, and the gel in a longer eye tends to change earlier. Eye surgery and eye injuries can speed it up too.
What is a posterior vitreous detachment?
As the gel shrinks, it eventually pulls away from the back wall of the eye. This is a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. It happens to most people with age. You might notice a sudden new floater, sometimes a large ring, flashes at the edge of your vision that are easier to see in the dark, or more floaters for a few weeks. Usually the gel lets go cleanly and the floaters fade as your brain learns to ignore them.
Why new floaters and flashes can mean a retinal tear
Sometimes the gel is stuck tightly to the retina in one spot and tugs hard enough to tear it. The flashes you see are the retina being pulled. A tear can bleed a little, which shows up as a sudden shower of tiny dots. If fluid gets under the tear, the retina can peel away from the back of the eye. That is a retinal detachment, and it often looks like a dark curtain moving across your vision. A detachment is an emergency. Tears caught early can often be treated before they become a detachment, so timing matters.
Call us the same day if you notice
- A sudden shower of new floaters or many small dots
- New flashes of light, especially if they keep coming back
- A shadow, curtain or veil over any part of your vision
- Sudden blurry vision or vision loss in one eye
- Floaters or flashes after a blow to the eye or head
If you can't reach us, go to the emergency room. Please don't wait to see if it goes away.
Who is at higher risk?
- People who are very nearsighted
- People who have had eye surgery, including cataract surgery
- People who have had an eye injury, even years ago
- People with a family history of retinal detachment, or a past tear in the other eye
How we check for a tear
To find a tear we need to see the edges of the retina, not just the center. Dilating drops widen the pupil, and the doctor uses a bright light and special lenses to look all the way around. OCT, a scan that shows the retina's layers in fine detail, helps us see whether anything is pulling on it. Bring sunglasses, since your eyes will be light-sensitive for a few hours. If we find a tear or detachment, we refer you to a retina specialist and help you get seen quickly.
Every exam at Reimbold Eye Group includes retinal photos, which give us a baseline to compare against when something changes. Related reading: epiretinal membrane.
Frequently asked questions
Are floaters ever normal?
Yes. Most people have a few, and they become more common with age and nearsightedness. A sudden increase is what needs a same-day exam.
Do floaters go away?
Many become less noticeable over weeks to months as they settle and your brain tunes them out. Some stay for good.
What do retinal tear flashes look like?
People describe quick streaks or flickers like a camera flash or lightning, usually at the edge of vision and easier to see in a dark room.
Can I wait for my next regular appointment?
Not for new floaters, new flashes or a shadow in your vision. Call us the same day or go to the emergency room.
Visit Reimbold Eye Group in Alpharetta
For routine eye care, or if something has changed, call us. Book online or call 770-776-9000. We are at 4180 Old Milton Pkwy 1-D, Alpharetta, GA 30005, open Tuesday to Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.