Floaters and Flashes: Understanding Vitreous Changes and When to See a Doctor
Dec, 11 2025
Have you ever looked up at a bright sky or a white wall and seen tiny dots, squiggles, or cobwebs drifting across your vision? Maybe you’ve also seen sudden streaks of light, like a camera flash, even when your eyes are closed. These aren’t imaginary - they’re real, and they’re called floaters and flashes. For most people over 50, they’re just a normal part of aging. But for some, they’re a warning sign that needs urgent attention.
What Are Floaters and Flashes?
Floaters are shadows cast by tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous - the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the back of your eye. They look like specks, threads, or spider webs that move when you move your eyes. They’re most noticeable against bright backgrounds, like a clear sky or a white screen. Flashes, on the other hand, are brief bursts of light you see in your peripheral vision. They can look like sparks, lightning, or streaks of light, even in the dark. These symptoms happen because of changes in the vitreous. As you age, the vitreous slowly shrinks and becomes more liquid. This process, called vitreous syneresis, starts around age 40 but becomes common after 65. When the vitreous pulls away from the retina - a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) - it can tug on the retina, causing flashes. The clumps of collagen fibers left behind create floaters.How Common Are They?
About 75% of people over 65 have experienced floaters at some point. By age 70, nearly two out of three people will have had a posterior vitreous detachment. If you’re nearsighted, you’re more likely to develop these changes earlier - sometimes as young as your 40s - because your eyes are longer than average, which increases tension on the vitreous-retina connection. Most people don’t notice floaters right away. They’re often ignored until you’re in a bright room, squinting at a screen, or driving into the sun. At first, they can be annoying. But over time, your brain learns to filter them out. Many people say they fade into the background after six months to a year.When Are Floaters and Flashes Dangerous?
The big question isn’t whether you have floaters or flashes - it’s whether they’re new, sudden, and accompanied by other symptoms. If you’ve had floaters for years and suddenly notice:- A shower of new floaters - dozens or hundreds appearing at once
- Flashes that keep coming, especially in clusters over seconds or minutes
- A dark curtain or shadow spreading across your vision
- Loss of side vision (peripheral vision)
What Happens During an Eye Exam?
If you go to an optometrist or ophthalmologist with these symptoms, they won’t just look at your eyes - they’ll dilate your pupils. This lets them see the back of your eye clearly, including the retina and vitreous. They’re looking for:- Signs of retinal tears or holes
- Detached retina
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Other underlying conditions like diabetic eye disease or inflammation
What’s the Treatment?
If it’s just PVD - and no tears or detachments are found - you don’t need treatment. Most people adapt. Floaters don’t disappear, but they become less noticeable. Your brain gets used to ignoring them. If a retinal tear is found, treatment is simple and effective. A laser or freezing procedure (cryopexy) can seal the tear before it turns into a detachment. This is done in the doctor’s office and takes less than 30 minutes. Recovery is quick. If the retina has already detached, surgery is needed. That’s more involved - sometimes requiring a gas bubble or silicone oil to hold the retina in place. The sooner it’s treated, the better your chances of saving vision. Delaying care by even a few days can mean the difference between seeing clearly and losing sight permanently.What About Laser Treatment for Floaters?
Some clinics offer laser vitreolysis - a procedure that uses a YAG laser to break up large floaters. It sounds appealing, but it’s not widely recommended. The American Society of Retina Specialists says there’s not enough solid evidence to prove it’s safe or effective for most people. It doesn’t work on small, numerous floaters. And there’s a risk of accidentally damaging the retina or lens. In Australia, this procedure is rarely covered by insurance. Most eye doctors still say: wait it out. The brain adapts. The floaters settle. The risk of the procedure usually outweighs the benefit.Who’s at Higher Risk?
You’re more likely to have complications from floaters and flashes if you:- Are over 65
- Have severe nearsightedness (myopia)
- Have had eye surgery (like cataract surgery)
- Have diabetes or other conditions that affect blood vessels in the eye
- Have had a previous retinal tear or detachment
- Have experienced eye trauma
What You Can Do
There’s no way to prevent vitreous changes - they’re part of aging. But you can protect your vision:- Know the warning signs: sudden new floaters + flashes + vision loss = urgent care
- Don’t ignore symptoms just because you’re “getting older”
- Keep diabetes and high blood pressure under control - they raise your risk of bleeding in the eye
- Wear sunglasses to reduce UV exposure, which may speed up vitreous degeneration
- Get regular eye exams, especially after 50
Real Stories, Real Risks
One patient in Melbourne, 68, thought her new floaters were just “old eyes.” She waited three weeks before seeing a doctor. By then, she had a retinal detachment. She needed surgery and lost 30% of her peripheral vision. Another man, 59, noticed flashes every night for two days. He went in the same day. A tiny retinal tear was found and sealed with laser. No surgery. No vision loss. The difference? Timing.Final Thoughts
Floaters and flashes aren’t something to panic about - but they’re not something to ignore, either. For most people, they’re harmless. For others, they’re the first sign of something that can steal your sight. If you’re over 50 and notice new floaters or flashes, get your eyes checked within 24 to 48 hours. If you have flashes that keep coming or sudden vision loss, go the same day. No appointment? Go to an emergency eye clinic. Your vision is worth it.Most of the time, it’s just the vitreous changing - and that’s okay. But sometimes, it’s not. And when it’s not, acting fast can make all the difference.
Are floaters and flashes always a sign of something serious?
No. Most floaters and flashes are caused by posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), a normal part of aging that affects up to 75% of people over 65. They’re usually harmless and become less noticeable over time. But sudden changes - like a flood of new floaters, repeated flashes, or vision loss - can signal a retinal tear or detachment, which requires immediate care.
How long do floaters last?
Floaters from PVD often settle within six months as the brain learns to ignore them and the vitreous debris moves forward in the eye. Some may persist for a year or longer, but they rarely get worse. If floaters suddenly increase in number or change in shape, that’s a sign to get checked.
Can I get rid of floaters without surgery?
There’s no proven non-surgical way to remove floaters. Laser treatment (vitreolysis) is available but not recommended for most people due to limited effectiveness and potential risks like retinal damage. The safest approach is to let your brain adapt. Most people stop noticing them after a few months.
Should I be worried if I only have floaters and no flashes?
Isolated floaters are usually less concerning than flashes. But if you suddenly notice many new floaters - especially if they appear in a shower - you should still get an eye exam. A large floater could be a sign of bleeding or a retinal tear, even without flashes.
Can floaters and flashes happen in both eyes at once?
No. Posterior vitreous detachment typically happens in one eye at a time because the vitreous in each eye ages independently. If you notice symptoms in the other eye later, that’s normal. But if both eyes show sudden symptoms at the same time, it could indicate a different issue, like inflammation or bleeding, and needs evaluation.
Are floaters and flashes more common in certain people?
Yes. People who are nearsighted, over 65, have had cataract surgery, or have diabetes are at higher risk. Nearsighted individuals often develop PVD 10-15 years earlier than others because their eyes are longer, increasing traction on the retina. Diabetics are at higher risk of vitreous hemorrhage, which can mimic floaters but is more dangerous.
Is it safe to wait a few days if I have flashes but no floaters?
No. Repeated flashes - especially if they occur in clusters over seconds or hours - are a strong sign of retinal traction and possible tear. Even without floaters, flashes alone warrant same-day evaluation. The retina can tear without noticeable floaters, especially if there’s no bleeding.
Can stress or eye strain cause floaters and flashes?
No. Floaters and flashes are caused by physical changes in the vitreous gel, not by stress, screen use, or eye fatigue. However, stress can make you more aware of existing floaters, making them feel worse. If you suddenly notice new symptoms, it’s not because you’re tired - it’s because your eye is changing, and you need an exam.
Can children or young adults get floaters and flashes?
Yes, but it’s rare. In people under 40, floaters and flashes are more likely to signal something serious - like inflammation (uveitis), trauma, or a retinal condition - rather than normal aging. Any new symptoms in a young person should be evaluated promptly.
What’s the best way to prevent complications from floaters and flashes?
There’s no way to prevent vitreous changes, but you can reduce your risk of complications. Control diabetes and high blood pressure, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, avoid head trauma, and get annual eye exams after age 50. Most importantly - know the warning signs and act fast if you see them.