Flashes and Floaters: Emergency Eye Care in Oshawa

Have you noticed small specks drifting across your vision or brief flashes of light at the side of your eye?

Occasional floaters can be a normal part of aging. However, a sudden increase in floaters—especially when accompanied by flashing lights, blurry vision or a dark curtain across your vision—can be a warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment.

If you experience new flashes or floaters, an urgent eye examination in Oshawa can help determine whether your retina has been affected.

New flashes or a sudden increase in floaters should be examined promptly. If they occur with blurry vision, missing peripheral vision or a curtain-like shadow, seek immediate eye care because these can be warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment.

What Do Eye Floaters Look Like?

Floaters are small shapes that appear to move through your field of vision. They may look like:

Black or grey dots
Specks or spots
Squiggly lines
Threads
Rings
Cobweb-like shadows

Floaters may seem to move when you move your eyes and drift away when you try to look directly at them. They are often easier to notice against a bright, plain background such as a white wall or clear sky.

What Causes Eye Floaters?

The inside of your eye is filled with a clear, gel-like substance called the vitreous. As you age, the vitreous gradually becomes more liquid and may pull away from the retina at the back of the eye.

This is called a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. It is a common age-related change, particularly after age 50, and can cause new floaters or flashes of light.

Most cases do not require treatment. However, as the vitreous pulls away, it can sometimes create a tear in the retina. A retinal tear can allow fluid to pass underneath the retina and cause it to detach.

A dilated eye examination is the only way to determine whether new flashes or floaters are harmless or connected to a more serious retinal problem.

What Causes Flashes of Light in Your Vision?

Flashes can occur when the vitreous pulls or rubs against the retina. They may look like:

Brief streaks of light
Flickering lights
Lightning bolts
Camera flashes
“Seeing stars” at the side of your vision

Flashes related to the vitreous are often brief and may be more noticeable in a dark room.

Flashing lights can have several possible causes, including a posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tear, retinal detachment or migraine aura. Because it is difficult to distinguish between these causes without an examination, new or unexplained flashes should be assessed promptly.

When Are Flashes and Floaters an Emergency?

Contact an eye doctor immediately if you experience:

A sudden appearance of new floaters
A rapid increase or “shower” of floaters
New flashes of light
A dark curtain, veil or shadow across your vision
Missing side or peripheral vision
Sudden blurry or reduced vision
Flashes or floaters following an eye or head injury

These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that can cause permanent vision loss if it is not treated quickly.

Do not wait for the symptoms to improve on their own. Contact an eye-care professional immediately or go to the nearest emergency department if prompt eye care is unavailable.

Who Is More at Risk?

Anyone can experience a retinal tear or detachment, but the risk may be higher if you:

Are significantly nearsighted
Are over age 50
Have previously had a retinal tear or detachment
Have a family history of retinal detachment
Recently experienced an eye or head injury
Have had cataract or other eye surgery
Have certain retinal conditions
Have diabetes or inflammation inside the eye

Even without these risk factors, sudden changes in your vision should always be taken seriously.

How Are Flashes and Floaters Examined?

Your optometrist will ask when your symptoms began, whether they affect one or both eyes, and whether you have noticed any vision loss.

A comprehensive assessment may include:

Checking your vision
Examining the front and back of your eyes
Dilating your pupils to examine the retina
Retinal imaging when appropriate
Additional testing based on your symptoms

If a retinal tear or detachment is detected, you may be referred urgently to an ophthalmologist for treatment.

A retinal tear may be sealed with laser or freezing treatment to help prevent the retina from detaching. A detached retina may require surgery.

Should Existing Floaters Be Examined?

Long-standing floaters that have not changed are often harmless. You should still mention them during your regular comprehensive eye examination.

Book an assessment promptly if your floaters:

Are new
Suddenly increase
Appear with flashes
Interfere with your vision
Occur with a shadow or missing area of vision

It is always safer to have a sudden visual change examined than to assume it is harmless.

Experiencing New Flashes or Floaters in Oshawa?

New flashes and floaters should never be ignored. While they are often caused by normal age-related changes inside the eye, they can also be early warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment.

If you suddenly notice new floaters, flashes of light, reduced vision or a curtain-like shadow, call Oshawa Eye Care at 905-723-3937 immediately. Do not wait for the symptoms to disappear.

If the clinic is unavailable, go to the nearest emergency department. Early assessment can make an important difference in protecting your vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eye floaters normal?

A few stable floaters can be a normal part of aging. New floaters or a sudden increase in their number should be examined promptly to rule out a retinal tear or detachment.

Can eye floaters go away?

Floaters may become less noticeable over time as they settle or your brain adapts to them. However, new floaters should still be examined to determine their cause.

Are flashes of light always an emergency?

Not every flash is caused by an emergency. However, new or unexplained flashes require prompt attention, especially when accompanied by new floaters, blurry vision or a shadow.

What does a retinal detachment look like?

Possible symptoms include a sudden shower of floaters, flashing lights, reduced vision or a dark curtain or shadow moving across your field of vision. Retinal detachment is usually painless and requires immediate care.

Can retinal detachment be treated?

Yes. Treatment may involve laser therapy, freezing treatment or surgery, depending on whether there is a retinal tear or detachment. Prompt treatment can improve the likelihood of preserving your vision.