Floaters

Description

Floaters are small specks or particles floating inside the eye which may take on variety of shapes and sizes. They often look like gnats, threads, dots, circles, lines or cobwebs in the field of vision. They are particularly noticeable when one is looking at a light colored background such as a clear sky or a white wall. They may seem to move slowly across the line of sight or dart away when the eye moves to look directly at them.

What causes floaters?

The inner part of the eye is made up of a clear, jelly-like fluid known as the vitreous. The vitreous helps maintain the shape of the eye and allows light to pass through the retina. Floaters are small clumps of gel that form in the vitreous. Floaters are caused by:

*Small flecks of protein or other matter trapped during the formation of the eye before birth.

*Deterioration of the vitreous fluid, which is part of the natural aging process. This is called a posterior vitreous detachment.

*Certain eye diseases or injuries.

*Myopia

A posterior vitreous detachment can also occur in eyes after cataract surgery and YAG laser surgery.

Most of the time, the vitreous separates from the retina without causing any problem. However, in some people the retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the wall of the eye. This sometimes causes a small amount of bleeding in the eye that may appear as new floaters. Retinal tear should be repaired immediately since it can lead to Retinal Detachment. Without examination by an ophthalmologist, there is no way for a person to determine whether floaters are serious. If you notice a sudden increase or change in the number or type of floaters, contact your eye care practitioner immediately.

What can be done about floaters

Floaters may sometimes interfere with clear vision, often when one is reading. If a floater appears directly in your line of sight, moving your eyes around will cause the vitreous to swirl around and will move the floater out of the way. Looking up and down rather than back and forth will cause different currents inside the eye and may be more effective in getting the floater out of the way. Over a period of several weeks to several months, the floaters will become less noticeable as your brain learns to "see through" them.

Flashing Lights

Description

Flashing lights are the sensation of lights going on and off, noticed particularly off to one side. Flashes may appear as either quick or long bursts of light. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars". Flashes are most commonly seen when looking at a low-lit background or in total darkness. They tend to occur in one eye at a time and persist even when the eye is closed. The flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months.

Causes

When the vitreous shrinks, it tugs on the retina, creating a sensation of flashing lights. This commonly happens, as people grow older and usually is not cause for alarm. Flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or "heat waves" in both eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes are likely migraine. They are caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain. If a headache follows the flashes, it is called a migraine headache. However, if there is no subsequent headache, the flashes of light are known as an Ocular Migraines.

Most of the times, flashing lights do not indicate any serious eye problem. Occasionally, flashing lights are associated with many new floaters and even a blacking out of part of the field of vision .If this occurs, an immediate examination by an ophthalmologist is recommended to determine whether a retinal tear or Retinal Detachment has developed.