As we get older, this substance begins to break down and shrink, which may make it lose some of its gel-like consistency. The vitreous is the gel-like substance that fills the eye. A neurological disorder or a medical condition affecting the brain.Posterior Vitreal Detachment and Vitreal Traction (The vitreous gel pulling on the retina).What Is Causing My Eye Flashes?Įye flashes can be caused by a variety of conditions, but the most common causes of eye flashes are: They may be fleeting, or they may last as long as ten to twenty minutes. In some cases it may be hard to tell exactly where in your visual field these eye flashes are occurring, or even in which eye. The word flashes can be defined in many ways, and our visual experiences are subjective by nature, but for the purposes of this article we are talking about streaks or flickers of light appearing usually at the edge of your field of vision. In this article we will discuss the causes of eye flashes and what can be done about such visual disturbances. Only your eye doctor can diagnose the cause of your flashes. If a retinal tear is present however, early laser treatment to seal the hole may prevent retinal detachment.If you are experiencing eye flashes-streaks or lightening-like flashes of light in your field of vision-it may be a sign of a serious medical eye condition. Treatment of flashes Flashes do not need any treatment if there is no tear of the retina. Possible complications include: retinal detachment, cataract formation, glaucoma and loss of vision. Because the complications of vitrectomy can be serious, vitrectomy surgery is recommended only in unusual cases. The vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear salt solution. Large and persistent floaters that interfere with vision can be removed from the eye with an operation called vitrectomy. For most people, treatment is not necessary. Treatment of floaters and flashes Floaters are usually not harmful. This may blur your vision so you may need to make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the examination. During the examination your pupils will be dilated using eye drops. While not all floaters and flashes are serious, you should always have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist to make sure there has been no damage to your retina. What should you do if you experience floaters or flashes? Floaters and flashes become more common as we get older. Sometimes this is followed by a migraine headache. Patients may experience flashing lights that appear as jagged lines or ‘heat waves’ often lasting 10-20 minutes. Migraine Ophthalmic migraine results from spasm of the blood vessels that supply the eye or the visual areas of the brain. This is called a retinal detachment and requires an operation to repair it. When a tear occurs in the retina, the retina can fall off the back of the eye. This can cause slight bleeding into the eye which may be seen as a ‘shower’ of new floaters. Sometimes the vitreous is more firmly attached to the retina and pulls away a piece of the retina as it shrinks. In most cases, the large floater disappears over time. Torn retina When a posterior vitreous detachment occurs, a large floater and multiple flashes are usually seen. They can occur off and on for several weeks or months. They may last for a few seconds or several minutes. They are usually seen at night or in low light conditions. You may see what appears to be flashing lights or lightening streaks. What causes flashing lights? As the vitreous shrinks and comes away from the back of the eye, it can pull on the retina causing some of the retinal cells to fire off. Floaters are sometimes caused by bleeding or inflammation in the eye. In some cases, floaters can interfere severely with vision. While annoying, they are usually harmless and come and go over the years. Have had YAG laser following cataract surgeryĪre floaters serious? In most cases floaters interfere with vision only slightly.Posterior vitreous detachment is more common in patients who: The vitreous may pull away from the back of the eye resulting in a posterior vitreous detachment. What causes floaters? As we get older, the vitreous gel starts to thicken and shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. They can occur in a variety of different shapes: dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs. They move quickly with eye movement and float away when eye movement stops. They appear in your vision because they cast a shadow on the retina. They can often be seen when looking at a plain background such as a blank wall or blue sky.įloaters are tiny clumps of gel in the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye. What are floaters? By middle age, most people see small specs or clouds moving in their vision.
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