Floaters and Flashes
What Are Floaters and Flashes?
You may sometimes see small spots, "globs", or clouds "floating" in your field of vision. These are called floaters, which are actually tiny clumps of cells or material in the clear, gel-like fluid that fills your eye (vitreous). Floaters can appear in different sizes and in different shapes, such as dots, lines, clouds, webs, or lines.
As we age, the vitreous gel changes, gradually pulling away from the inside surface of the eye. This phenomenon is known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). When the vitreous gel tugs on the retina, you may see what looks like lightning streaks or flashes. These can appear intermittently over weeks or months.
Floaters and Flashes Symptoms
Symptoms of vitreous floaters include seeing specks or clouds moving in your field of vision, or seeing cobwebs, circles, lines, or dots. Flashes symptoms include seeing "lightning streaks" or "stars".
As the vitreous gel shrinks and pulls away from the retina, it may cause a retinal tear. This sometimes causes bleeding inside the eye that appears as new floaters. A tear in the retina can lead to a retinal detachment, which can cause visual loss if not treated. You should notify your eye physician immediately if you suddenly see flashes of light and new floaters or a change in the size and/or amount of floaters.
Treatment for Floaters and Flashes
Floaters can be treated with a specialized procedure call Laser Floater Treatment (LFT). Nanosecond laser pulses precisely target the floater clumps, breaking them apart and converting them into gas which then dissolves into the air. Floaters are thus removed and/or reduced in size. The procedure is non-invasive and performed in your ophthalmologist’s office. North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care is the first practice in the Gainesville area to offer this exciting treatment, and the treatment is delivering great outcomes for patients.
Here are just a few of the comments we’ve received:
“The (Laser Floater) Treatment took just a couple minutes and was painless. I heard click, click, click from the laser and just like that it was over. In and Out. My vision has improved greatly…Colors are even more vivid now, too!” – Ennis Runkle
“Having my floaters removed took no longer than a few minutes and was no more invasive then a basic eye exam…I am very happy with Dr. Snodgrass, his staff and my overall experience at his practice.” – Randolph Croft
“When Dr. Snodgrass told me there was a treatment available to get rid of this thing, I was really surprised, because I was always told there was nothing that could be done. The treatment itself was not painful or uncomfortable at all…I’m really delighted that (the floater) is gone…” – H. Davis
Read more of these LFT success stories.
Here's a look at how Laser Floater Treatment works...
While there is not a treatment to prevent or eliminate flashes, they typically become less noticeable over time. However, if you experience flashes, you should have an exam with your eye physician to determine if a retinal tear is present. A retinal tear can be treated with laser or surgery.
Ophthalmic Migraine
Some people experience flashes of light that appear as "heat waves" or jagged lines, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. This phenomenon is usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain, called a migraine. If a headache accompanies or follows the visual symptoms, it is called a classic migraine or migraine headache. However, the visual symptoms may occur without a headache. This is known as an ophthalmic migraine or migraine variant. The symptoms are usually relieved by OTC or prescription migraine medication. If you experience these symptoms frequently, contact your primary care physician for migraine prevention and treatment options.
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