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FLASHES AND FLOATERS

How to assess flecks in your vision

If you notice any flashes, floaters, spots or flecks in your vision, it is important that you see an optometrist promptly to assess the health of your eyes.

What are flashes and floaters?

The vitreous is the clear gel which fills the space inside the eyeball, and the retina is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of the eye.

As you age, the vitreous can become liquified and opacities, or “floaters” can form. These floaters or flecks are common and harmless. However, as this degeneration occurs the gel can push forward resulting in a posterior vitreous detachment.

This process can sometimes cause pulling on areas of the retina which can cause the sensation of flashes. If the pulling is severe enough, this can result in a hole or tear in the retina. At worse this could lead to a retinal detachment which needs urgent treatment.

As the retina does not sense any pain, if you notice any sudden floaters or flashing lights, it is important to have an optometrist assess the retinas. The optometrist will dilate your pupils with eye drops to enable a thorough examination of the inside of the eye. This procedure can result in blurry vision for around two to three hours afterwards.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, call now to book an urgent appointment.