Floaters and Flashes

As we age, we tend to notice clumps or strands that appear in our field of vision. These clumps, called floaters, form when our vitreous shrinks and thickens. Occasionally, these clumps may form in the vitreous and tend to peel from the back of the eye. This condition is called Posterior Vitreous Detachment. Although the floaters associated with this condition are not serious, it is recommended to go see your ophthalmologists when new floaters appear. 

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Watch the following video from the American Academy of Ophthalmology on floaters, flashes and retinal detachment:

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Flashes often appear like flashing camera lights in your field of vision. These flashes are caused by the vitreous rubbing or pulling on your retina. 

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Flashes are also associated with migraines. These flashes may look like jagged lines of heatwaves. You may experience these type of flashes in one or both eyes. When a headache occurs after these flashes, it is considered a migraine headache. You may see flashes without having a headache - this is called an ophthalmic migraine.