Floater is a moving vitreous opacity that you may visualize as a small thread or cloud or ring moving in your field of vision. These vitreous opacities or floaters may resemble a spider, mosquito, fly or cobweb. They seem to float and are therefore called floaters. You may sometimes observe a spontaneous flash of light. This is called photopsia or flashes. It resembles sparks of light moving in the closed eye.
Why does a floater occur?
When the vitreous, which is like a clear white of an egg, liquifies and pulls away from the retina (Posterior Vitreous Detachment-PVD), it becomes somewhat condensed, stringy and forms strands. These moving strands cast a shadow on the highly sensitive portion of the retina. The patient can see these strands and strings as black or grey spots, small circles or irregular fine threads in the field of vision.
Why does a Flash occur?
Tugging of the vitreous where it is attached to the retina causes flashes of light. As the vitreous pulls on the retina, the brain interprets this pulling as flashes of light.
What causes Flashes and Floater?
Age related changes in the vitreous.
Near Sightedness. (Myopia)
Previous inflammation and trauma to the eye.
Retinal Break.
Retinal detachment.
Are Floaters and Flashes serious?
You should not be alarmed. But they do warrant an early checkup to be sure that there is no serious retinal problem (Retinal tear or Detachment). If no such problem is detected then the patient can feel reassured and learn to ignore the floaters.
What is the treatment?
There is no treatment for floaters. Floaters can get in the way of your clear vision which may be quiet annoying. While some floaters may remain in your field of vision, many will fade over a period time and become less bothersome. Floaters and flashes require evaluation at the onset, if any new ones or a sudden increase in number is noted.