Seeing Floaters or Flashes? When It Could Be a Retinal Issue

Have you ever noticed tiny dots, lines, or flashes of light drifting through your vision? Most of the time, these floaters and flashes are harmless—but sometimes, they can signal a serious problem with your retina. Knowing the difference can protect your sight. 

What Causes Floaters and Flashes?

Floaters appear as small shapes or specks that move when you move your eyes. Flashes look like brief bursts of light, often in your side vision. 

They’re usually caused by changes in the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the inside of your eye. As we age, this gel can shrink and pull away from the retina, a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). While this is common and often harmless, the pulling can sometimes cause a retinal tear, which can lead to retinal detachment—a medical emergency that threatens your vision. 

Warning Signs to Watch For

If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam right away: 

• A sudden increase in floaters (like a “shower” of spots) 
• Flashes of light that don’t go away 
• A shadow or curtain moving across your vision
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Loss of peripheral vision 

Even if the symptoms seem minor, only a dilated eye exam can determine whether your retina is intact or torn.

Why It’s Important to Act Quickly

The retina is a delicate, light-sensitive tissue that sends visual signals to your brain. If it tears or detaches, vision can decline rapidly—and permanent loss may occur if not treated quickly.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment can often prevent retinal detachment or restore vision if addressed early. The sooner you see a retina specialist, the better your chances for recovery. 

How Retinal Problems Are Diagnosed and Treated 

At a comprehensive eye exam, your ophthalmologist will: 

1. Dilate your pupils to see the retina clearly 
2. Use special lenses or imaging to check for tears or detachment 
3. Recommend treatment, if needed 

Common treatments include: 

• Laser therapy or cryopexy: Seals small tears to prevent detachment 
• Pneumatic retinopexy: A gas bubble reattaches the retina from inside the eye 
• Scleral buckle or vitrectomy: Surgical procedures used for more complex cases 

These treatments are typically done on an outpatient basis and can save vision when performed early. 

What our patients are saying:

“Excellent care as always! In addition to being a great doctor his whole staff seems to care as well highly recommend this office in Ventura!”

Key point: Unlike allergies or pink eye, dry eye is a chronic condition. Over-the-counter artificial tears may help temporarily, but long-term relief often requires professional dry eye treatments such as prescription drops, punctal plugs, or LipiFlow® thermal pulsation therapy to restore natural tear balance. 

Protect Your Vision with Expert Care 

DLV Vision provides advanced ophthalmic care, from retinal evaluations to vision correction procedures and cataract surgery. Our board-certified specialists use leading technology to detect and treat retinal conditions early—helping you maintain clear, healthy vision. 

If you’ve noticed new floaters or flashes, don’t wait. These could be signs of a retinal issue that needs immediate attention. 

Schedule a consultation today or call DLV Vision to get your eyes examined by our experienced specialists.