Seeing Spots? Understanding Eye Floaters, Flashes & When to Call

Seeing Spots? Understanding Floaters, Flashes, and When to Call 

Have you ever noticed a tiny speck, string, cobweb, or shadow drifting across your vision? These are called floaters, and they’re something many people experience. 
 

Floaters can be annoying, distracting, and sometimes a little unsettling. The good news is that many floaters are harmless and become less noticeable over time. However, some floaters — especially when they appear suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light — can be a warning sign of a more serious eye condition. 
 

So how do you know the difference? Let’s break it down. 

What Are Floaters? 

Floaters are small shapes that seem to drift across your vision. They may look like dots, threads, cobwebs, circles, shadows, or squiggly lines. They often move when your eye moves, and they may seem to “float away” when you try to look directly at them. 
 

Even though floaters look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually coming from inside the eye. 
 

The inside of the eye is filled with a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous. When we are younger, this gel is usually more firm and uniform. As we age, the vitreous naturally begins to change. It can become more liquid, shrink slightly, or develop tiny clumps and strands. When light enters the eye, those strands can cast shadows on the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. Those shadows are what we see as floaters. 
 

In simple terms: floaters are usually shadows created by tiny changes inside the eye. 
 

Why Do Floaters Develop? 

Floaters often develop as part of the normal aging process. Over time, the vitreous gel slowly changes and may begin to pull away from the retina. This is called a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. While the name sounds alarming, a PVD is common, especially as people get older. 
 

For many people, this process causes new floaters or occasional flashes and does not lead to a serious problem. However, as the vitreous pulls away, it can sometimes tug on the retina. If that pulling is strong enough, it may cause a retinal tear. If fluid passes through that tear, the retina can begin to detach. 
 

That is why new floaters and flashes should be taken seriously. Most floaters are not dangerous, but the only way to know what is happening inside the eye is through a dilated eye exam. 
 

What Are Flashes? 

Flashes may look like quick sparks, lightning streaks, flickers, or camera flashes in your side vision. They may happen in one eye or both eyes, and they may be more noticeable in dim lighting. Flashes can happen when the vitreous pulls or tugs on the retina. The eye may interpret that stimulation as light, even though there is no actual light source there. Occasional flashes can happen for different reasons, but new flashes, repeated flashes, or flashes that happen with new floaters should be evaluated promptly. 
 

When Floaters Are Usually Less Concerning 

A floater is usually less concerning when it has been present for a long time and has not changed. For example, if you have had the same small floater for months or years, and it is not increasing, not affecting your vision, and not accompanied by flashes or shadows, it may simply be a stable floater. 
 

Some people notice their floaters more in bright environments, such as outdoors, at the beach, while looking at a white wall, or while using a bright screen. Floaters may also seem more noticeable when you are tired or paying close attention to them. 
 

In many cases, the brain learns to ignore floaters over time. They may not disappear completely, but they often become less noticeable. 
 

That said, even stable floaters are worth mentioning during your routine eye exam so your doctor can monitor your eye health over time. 
 

When Floaters Need Immediate Attention 

While many floaters are harmless, certain symptoms should never be ignored. 
 

Call your eye doctor right away if you notice: 

• A sudden increase in floaters 

• A sudden “shower” of new spots or specks 

• New flashes of light 

• A dark curtain, veil, or shadow in your vision 

• Sudden blurry vision or vision loss 

• Loss of side vision 

• New floaters or flashes after an eye injury 

• Symptoms that are new, sudden, or affecting only one eye 

These symptoms can sometimes be signs of a retinal tear or retinal detachment. A retinal detachment is a serious condition where the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. If not treated quickly, it can lead to permanent vision loss. 
 

The important thing to remember is this: 

Not every floater is an emergency, but sudden changes are not something to wait on. 
 

Why a Dilated Eye Exam Matters 

You cannot tell by symptoms alone whether a new floater is harmless or something more serious. A dilated eye exam allows the doctor to look carefully at the retina and check for signs of a tear, bleeding, inflammation, or detachment. 
 

During dilation, special drops are used to widen the pupil so the doctor can get a better view of the back of the eye. This gives a much clearer picture of what is happening inside the eye and helps determine whether the floater is part of a normal vitreous change or something that needs treatment. 
 

If everything looks healthy, that can give you peace of mind. If there is a retinal tear or another concern, early treatment can make a major difference. 
 

The Bottom Line 

Floaters are common, especially as we age, and many are not dangerous. They are often caused by natural changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye. However, new floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain-like shadow in your vision can be warning signs of a retinal problem. 
 

If you notice a sudden change in your vision, do not wait for your next routine exam. Call our office right away so we can help guide you on the next best step. 
 

Your vision is too important to guess.