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Frequently
Asked Questions |
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Q:
What are floaters and flashes? |
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A:
Floaters are relatively
transparent, vague, usually curved objects that
you may occasionally see floating in your field
of vision. They are seen best when looking at
a white piece of paper, blue sky, light colored
ceiling, or wall. They sometimes look like cobwebs,
worms, circles, lines, clouds, dots, or specks.
Eye movement makes floaters more visible as they
swirl about like seaweed in the ocean surf. Floaters
may seem to “run-away” when you try
to look at them.
Flashes, on the other hand, are momentary streaks
of light, and could indicate a serious problem
such as posterior vitreous detachment or retinal
tear. Floaters and flashes are common
symptoms that are usually but not always harmless.
Both floaters and flashes commonly occur as we
grow older.
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Q:
What causes floaters and flashes? |
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A: As
people age, the vitreous humor starts
to liquefy centrally, forming clumps
or strands inside the eye. The outer
portion of the vitreous gel pulls
away from the retina, causing a
vitreous detachment, causing the
brain to perceive flashes of light.
People who are nearsighted,
have undergone cataract
operations, have had
YAG
laser surgery of the
eyes and have had inflammation
inside the eye are
at greater risk of vitreous detachment.
When the vitreous gel which fills
the inside of the eye rubs or pulls
on the retina, it sometimes produces
the illusion of flashing |
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lights.
The flashes of light may appear
off and on for several weeks or
months. On rare occasions, light
flashes accompany a large number
of new floaters and even a partial
loss or shadowing of side vision.
The appearance of floaters may be
alarming, especially if they develop
suddenly in a person over 45 years
of age. An ophthalmologist should
be consulted right away if you see
sudden flashes of light, or see
a curtain or veil obscure your vision.
This could indicate a torn retina
which is always a serious problem
since it can lead to a retinal
detachment.
While floaters may remain in the
vision, many of them will fade over
time and become less bothersome.
Even if you have had floaters for
some years, an ophthalmologist should
be consulted if new ones develop.
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Q:
How common are flashes and floaters? |
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A:
Very common. Over 70% of the population experiences
these problems. |
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Q:
Are eye strain, nutrition, general health, smoking,
or emotional stress related to flashes and floaters? |
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A:
No, there is no
known relationship between flashes or floaters
and any of these problems.
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Q:
Can anything be done to stop the bothersome floaters? |
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A:
No, nothing can
be done to prevent floaters. Floaters can be a
nuisance if they continue to appear in your field
of vision. You can try moving your eye around
(looking up and down) to move them out of the
way. Most floaters will fade over time. If they
bother you a lot when you read, try turning down
the light or blinking. This usually helps.
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Q:
Is there a medication or eye drop for the treatment
for flashes or floaters? |
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A:
No, there is no
medicine, eye drop, vitamin, herb, or diet that
is beneficial to patients with flashes or floaters.
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Q: If one eye develops
flashes or floaters will the other develop them
as well? |
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A:
Very likely. In
the case of a posterior vitreous separation, it
is very common for the same condition to occur
in the second eye within a year. For this reason,
and because flashes and floaters are sometimes
caused by retinal breaks, both eyes should have
a dilated fundus
exam as soon as possible when flashes
or floaters develop in either eye.
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Q: Do floaters and
flashes eventually disappear? |
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A:
Flashes will almost always go away completely.
It usually takes about a month, but sometimes
it can take up to six months. Floaters will gradually
get smaller and less noticeable as the weeks and
months go by, but usually they never disappear
completely. |
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Q:
Are floaters and flashes serious? |
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A:
Do not worry if you have a few floaters.
Generally, a few floaters do not mean that
you have a serious eye problem. You need
to see your eye doctor for an eye exam if
a large number of floaters suddenly appear
in your vision, or if they seem to worsen
over time. If the floaters appear along
with flashes of light or if you have any
vision loss, you should seek immediate medical
attention. These could be signs of a serious
condition, such as, retinal tears, hemorrhaging
due to diabetes, or high blood pressure.
It is important that you see a doctor because
retinal tears and hemorrhage can cause vision
loss. |
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Q: Can floaters and flashes cause total blindness? |
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A:
Not by themselves.
However, floaters and flashes can be related to
retinal detachment
or a variety of vascular conditions such as diabetic
retinopathy, which
can result in blindness if not treated.
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Q:
How are flashes and floaters detected? |
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A:
The ophthalmoscope
is frequently used to examine both the central
and peripheral retina which will detect
the presence of floaters and or flashes.
The slit-lamp,
combining a microscope with a strong illumination,
is often used with a hand held lens, allowing
portions of the retina to be seen in greater
detail. Some patients are given an intravenous
injection of fluorescein dye in a procedure
called "fluorescein angiography".
The dye which takes only moments to reach
the eye, makes tiny blood vessels visible,
enabling photographs to be taken for later
study.
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Q:
What is the treatment for flashes and floaters? |
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A:
Although
annoying, floaters are not usually
vision threatening and do not require
treatment. Often floaters diminish
and become less bothersome over time.
If a floater appears directly in the
line of vision, moving the eye around
will often help. In cases where floaters
do indicate a more serious condition
such as retinal tear, lasers can be
used to prevent vision loss.
Like floaters, unless they represent
the symptoms of a more serious condition,
flashes do not require treatment.
Flashes which are a result of the
vitreous pulling away from the retina
will eventually stop. However, flashes
may be a warning for retinal
detachment which needs
immediate medical attention.
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Q:
I want to get my eyes checked for floaters and flashes,
what is the next step? |
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A:
Schedule an appointment
at NeoVision Eye Center by calling toll free at
1-877-NEOVISION
(1-877-636-8474).
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