Eye Floaters and Flashes: Causes and When to Seek Medical Attention
Author - The Eye Care Clinic Have you ever noticed small dark spots, thread-like shapes or moving shadows in your vision? These are commonly called eye floaters. Some people also notice brief flashes of light, particularly when moving their eyes. Floaters and flashes can occur due to changes inside the eye. While some are related to normal ageing, a sudden increase in floaters or flashes can sometimes indicate a retinal problem that needs urgent medical attention. What Are Eye Floaters? Floaters are small shapes that appear to move across your field of vision. They may look like: Tiny dark dots. Threads or cobweb-like shapes. Transparent spots. Small circles or irregular shadows. They are usually caused by changes in the vitreous, a gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. As people age, the vitreous may become thinner and develop small clumps that cast shadows on the retina. Why Do Flashes of Light Occur? Flashes may appear as brief streaks, sparks or flickers of light. Th...