Flashes & Floaters

What are floaters?

The small specks or “bugs” that you may occasionally see moving across your vision are called floaters. They are most visible when you are looking at a plain background such as a white wall or the bright blue sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or debris within the vitreous, which is the clear jelly-like substance that fills the inside cavity of the eye. As these floaters move about inside your eye, they are casting shadows onto the retina.

What causes flashes and floaters?

The vitreous is normally attached to the surface of the retina, which lines the inside of your eye, like wallpaper. As we grow older and reach middle age, the vitreous gel begins to breakdown into microscopic clumps and strands. As the vitreous undergoes this degeneration, it sometimes actually separates itself away from the retina.

This process is called posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. PVD can also occur in nearsighted people, people who have sustained ocular trauma, or individuals who have recently undergone an ocular procedure such as cataract surgery, or YAG capsulotomy.

The sudden appearance of floaters and flashes

When floaters appear suddenly, it can be quite alarming. Usually, when a PVD occurs, you may suddenly see little dots, lines, cobwebs, or clouds filling the vision of one of your eyes. Fortunately, the floaters are usually harmless and are a result of the normal aging process.

Flashes may also occur during a PVD as a result of the vitreous tugging on the retina. The retina feels no pain, but if it is stimulated, it will send a light signal to the brain. This often can be observed as a

  • shooting arc of light, or
  • burst of light in the corner of your vision

These light signals or flashes may be more easily observed at night or when there is little surrounding outside light. Your eye will continue to function normally with a PVD.

Are flashes and floaters ever serious?

Occasionally, the retina can be torn when a PVD occurs. This may cause a small amount of bleeding, which can appear as new floaters. A retinal tear can be serious if it develops into a retinal detachment. Any sudden onset of new flashes or floaters should be promptly evaluated by your eye doctor. Additionally, if you perceive new symptoms after your evaluation, such as loss of part of your peripheral vision, this requires a repeat examination.

Can anything be done about floaters?

Floaters can often interfere with normal vision and be bothersome while reading or driving. Fortunately, floaters almost always diminish over time and your brain will learn to ignore them, even if it takes several months. For more information about Flashes and Floaters, talk with your EyeHealth doctor or contact our office for an appointment or brochure.

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Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more