Floaters
Do you feel like you are seeing something floating in your eyes? Floaters are commonly experienced and can be described as spots, lines, and shapes that you see moving around in your field of vision. This occurs when the components in the vitreous of the eye begin to combine. The vitreous of the eye has a liquid, gel-like consistency. When light passes through the eye the shadows of these structures appear in your sight. Floaters are common and often don’t mean that there is anything wrong with your eyes. Floaters become more common in people over 50 years of age. If you notice an increased frequency or that they begin to cause difficulty in your vision you should schedule an appointment to discuss options for treatment.
Flashes
The retina is also responsible for those who experience flashes. When you see flashes, it is due to a tugging on the retina. The vitreous gel can sometimes attach to the retina in certain spots, which can cause a tug that results in you seeing a flash. You may also see a flash due to retinal detachments or tears. If you notice flashes occurring in your vision you should schedule an appointment to look at your retina and evaluate what solutions would be best for you.
“You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. These are called floaters. You can often see them when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of cells or material inside the vitreous, the clear, gel-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye.”
