Floaters?
Experiencing “floaters” or spots in front of the eyes is a very common symptom noticed by patients. In many cases these are caused by aging changes in the vitreous jelly of the eye, have been present for a long time and are of little significance.
However, the appearance of new floaters or flashes of light must be investigated immediately by your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Often, when looking at plain surfaces, such as a clear blue sky or white wall, floaters appear as spots, lines or cobweb effects, even for people with healthy eyes. This tends to happen as a result of cells which are clumped together in the clear vitreous jelly, casting shadows on your retina.
Flashes?
Small lines, shapes and spots in your vision are known as flashes and floaters. Flashes of light at the edge of your vision can occur when the vitreous jelly inside the eye shrinks or tugs on the light-sensitive layer of the eye, also known as the retina. This visual light disturbance is not the same as that which occurs during a visual migraine.
Sudden Appearance of New Floaters:
In many cases, new floaters or spots in the vision or flashes of light are caused by the vitreous jelly detaching itself from its loose contact with the retina.The process of separation of the vitreous from the retina (posterior vitreous detachment or PVD) usually takes a few weeks but sometimes longer to complete. Once the vitreous has separated from the retina then there are no clinical consequences apart from the slight nuisance of seeing floaters in the vision.
By the age of 60, about 30% of the population will have a PVD and in most cases the process is uncomplicated.
However, if you notice a shower of new floaters, floaters along with flashes, or a curtain-like dark shadow in your vision, these symptoms may be an indication of retinal tearing. In a small proportion of patients, an area of the vitreous jelly may have difficulty in separating itself from the retina and may cause this tear, which can then lead to more serious, sight threatening conditions, such as retinal detachment.
Prompt inspection is needed if this is the case. If you are unable to reach your optometrist, head to A&E or Moorfields Eye Hospital straight away. There is a 24-hour Eye Accident & Emergency Department at Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London EC1.
Retinal Tear
If the retina tears, it may disconnect from the back of the eye and lead to retinal detachment. As the light-sensitive layer of the eye, where light is absorbed and images are received then sent to the brain, the result of retinal detachment can be partial or complete loss of vision.
Treatment for Retinal Detachment
A retinal tear may be treated by an ophthalmologist using a laser, which has a better chance of full recovery if carried out quickly. However, if the retina has detached, surgery is required. The surgical operation may restore the majority of the patient’s vision, but also carries the risk of coming too late for full recovery.
At Barnard Levit Optometrists
In the instance of new flashes/floaters, your optometrist will dilate your pupils and examine the vitreous and retina with the slit lamp microscope. Additionally, at Barnard Levit Optometrists, an Optomap wide-field retinal image is captured for further analysis. If the PVD is uncomplicated your optometrist will usually ask to re-examine you around six weeks later and repeat the examination. If in the interim the floaters or flashes change or worsen, or if you see a curtain coming across your vision you are to seek attention immediately by attending the casualty department of an eye hospital on the same day.