Have you ever looked up at a clear blue sky and seen tiny dots or spiderweb-like shapes drifting across your vision? Or maybe you’ve noticed sudden streaks of light in your peripheral vision, like a camera flash going off in the dark? You’re not alone. These are called floaters and flashes, and for most people over 50, they’re a normal part of aging. But sometimes, they’re a warning sign - and ignoring them could cost you your vision.
What Are Floaters and Flashes?
Floaters are those little shadows that seem to move when you move your eyes. They look like specks, threads, or cobwebs floating in front of your vision. They’re most noticeable against bright backgrounds - like a white wall or a clear sky. Flashes, on the other hand, are brief bursts of light you see out of the corner of your eye, often described as sparks, streaks, or lightning. They don’t come from outside your eye. They’re caused by your retina being tugged or stimulated from inside. Both happen because of changes in the vitreous - the clear, gel-like substance that fills the back two-thirds of your eye. In youth, the vitreous is thick and firm, holding the retina in place. But as you age, it starts to break down. Water separates from the collagen fibers, the gel liquefies, and slowly pulls away from the retina. This is called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). It’s not a disease. It’s just what happens to nearly everyone over time.Why Do Floaters Appear?
As the vitreous shrinks and becomes more liquid, tiny collagen fibers clump together. These clumps cast shadows on your retina, and your brain interprets those shadows as floating objects. The more you move your eyes, the more these clumps shift around, which is why floaters seem to dart away when you try to look directly at them. Most floaters are harmless. They’re usually small, few in number, and appear gradually. People often describe them as “bubbles,” “bugs,” or “dark spots.” Over time, your brain learns to ignore them. Many find that after six months to a year, floaters are still there but no longer bother them. They settle toward the bottom of the eye, out of your direct line of sight.What Causes Flashes?
Flashes happen when the shrinking vitreous tugs on the retina. The retina is made of light-sensitive cells, and when it’s pulled, it sends a signal to your brain - even though there’s no actual light. That’s why you see flashes. They’re not hallucinations. They’re real signals from your eye. These flashes are usually brief - lasting only a second or two - and often happen in clusters. You might see several in a row over minutes or hours. They’re most common in low light or when you move your eyes quickly. Flashes often occur in one eye at a time, because the vitreous in each eye ages differently.When Is It Just Aging - and When Is It an Emergency?
The biggest risk isn’t the floaters or flashes themselves. It’s what they might be hiding. About 10-15% of people with PVD develop a retinal tear or detachment. That’s not common, but it’s serious. A retinal tear can lead to a retinal detachment - a medical emergency that can cause permanent blindness if not treated within days. Here’s how to tell the difference:- Benign PVD: You notice a few new floaters, maybe one or two flashes, and then it stops. Your vision stays clear. No dark curtain, no loss of side vision. This is the most common scenario - and it’s usually safe.
- Warning signs: Sudden shower of many new floaters, persistent flashes (especially recurring every few seconds), a dark shadow or curtain coming across your vision, sudden blurring, or loss of peripheral vision. These are red flags.
Who’s at Higher Risk?
Not everyone develops PVD at the same time. Age is the biggest factor. By age 65, about 75% of people have floaters. By 70, nearly two-thirds have had a posterior vitreous detachment. But some people are at higher risk:- People over 50 - risk increases sharply after 40.
- Nearsighted individuals - their eyes are longer, which puts more tension on the retina. They often get PVD 10-15 years earlier than people with normal vision.
- Those with diabetes - high blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the eye, leading to bleeding into the vitreous.
- People who’ve had eye surgery or trauma - even a minor injury can trigger vitreous changes.
- Anyone under 50 with new floaters or flashes - these are less likely to be normal aging and more likely to signal something serious like uveitis or retinal disease.
What Should You Do If You Notice New Symptoms?
Don’t wait. Don’t assume it’s “just aging.” If you have sudden floaters, especially if they’re accompanied by flashes or any vision loss, get your eyes checked within 24 hours. If you’re seeing repeated flashes or a dark curtain across your vision, go to an eye specialist the same day. Delaying even a few days can mean the difference between saving your vision and losing it. An eye doctor will dilate your pupils and examine your retina with a special lens. This takes about 20 minutes. It’s not painful. It’s the only way to know for sure whether you have a harmless PVD or something more dangerous. The Macular Disease Foundation Australia says it plainly: “The only way to tell whether these floaters and flashes have been caused by PVD or something else is to have your eyes examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.”Can You Treat Floaters?
For most people, no treatment is needed. Floaters fade over time. Your brain adapts. You learn to live with them. There are procedures - like laser vitreolysis, which uses a laser to break up large floaters - but they’re not widely recommended. The American Society of Retina Specialists says the risks (like accidentally damaging the retina) often outweigh the benefits. Plus, most insurance plans won’t cover it because it’s considered experimental. Surgery to remove the vitreous (vitrectomy) is an option for severe cases, but it’s only done when floaters are so dense they block vision entirely. It’s invasive, carries risks like cataracts or infection, and isn’t worth it for most people. So the best treatment? Patience. And regular eye checks.
Can You Prevent Floaters and Flashes?
No. PVD is a natural part of aging. You can’t stop it. But you can reduce your risk of complications:- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes - this prevents bleeding in the vitreous.
- Wear protective eyewear during sports or DIY projects to avoid trauma.
- Don’t ignore sudden changes. Even if you’ve had floaters before, new ones mean a new evaluation.
What Happens After Diagnosis?
If your doctor confirms it’s a simple PVD, you’ll likely be told to monitor your vision. They’ll ask you to report any new symptoms: more floaters, new flashes, or vision changes. Most people don’t need follow-up unless something changes. If they find a retinal tear, they can usually fix it in the office with laser treatment or freezing therapy. These procedures seal the tear before fluid leaks behind the retina and causes detachment. Success rates are over 90% when caught early. If it’s already a detachment, surgery is needed - and it’s more complex. Recovery takes longer. Vision may not fully return.Real Stories, Real Concerns
Many people report feeling anxious when they first notice floaters. One patient from Melbourne described it as “seeing ghosts in my vision.” Another said the flashes made her feel like she was having mini-seizures. The fear is real - and understandable. But what most people don’t know is that after their eye exam, 9 out of 10 find out it’s just PVD. Relief floods in. They learn it’s not a brain tumor, not a stroke, not something they caused. It’s just aging. One Reddit user wrote: “I thought I was going blind. Turned out it was a harmless vitreous detachment. I cried when the doctor said it was normal.”Final Advice
Floaters and flashes are common. For most, they’re harmless. But they’re also your eye’s way of whispering - sometimes shouting - that something might be wrong. If you’re over 50 and notice new floaters or flashes, don’t panic. But don’t ignore them either. Schedule an eye exam within 48 hours. If you have flashes that keep coming back, or sudden vision loss, go the same day. Your vision doesn’t come with a backup. Once the retina is damaged, there’s no undo button. But with a quick check, you can avoid disaster - and live with the floaters without fear.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. About 75% of people over 65 experience them. They’re usually harmless and become less noticeable over time. But sudden changes - like a shower of new floaters, repeated flashes, or a dark curtain over your vision - can signal a retinal tear or detachment, which requires urgent care.
How long do floaters last?
Floaters from PVD typically settle within six months to a year. The brain learns to ignore them, and the debris often drifts out of your central vision. Some people may still see them occasionally, especially in bright light, but they rarely interfere with daily life. If floaters suddenly increase in number or change shape after months of stability, see your eye doctor.
Can eye drops or supplements get rid of floaters?
No. There are no eye drops, vitamins, or supplements proven to eliminate floaters. While some products claim to help, there’s no scientific evidence. The only way to remove persistent floaters is through surgery (vitrectomy), which carries significant risks and is rarely recommended unless vision is severely blocked. Patience and monitoring are the best approaches.
Why do I see floaters more in bright light?
Floaters are shadows cast by clumps of collagen in the vitreous. In bright light, your pupils shrink, letting in less peripheral light. This makes the shadows more visible against a uniform background like a white wall or blue sky. In dim light, your pupils widen, scattering light and making floaters harder to see.
Is it normal to have floaters in only one eye?
Yes. The vitreous in each eye ages independently. It’s very common to notice floaters or flashes in one eye first. If you later notice similar symptoms in the other eye, that’s also normal - it just means the vitreous in that eye is now undergoing the same age-related changes. But if one eye suddenly develops many new floaters or flashes while the other doesn’t, it’s still important to get checked.
Can stress or screen time cause floaters?
No. Stress and screen time don’t cause floaters. They may make you more aware of them - like how tension can make you notice a headache more - but they don’t create the physical changes in the vitreous. Floaters are caused by aging, nearsightedness, or eye trauma, not digital strain. Taking breaks from screens helps eye comfort, but won’t reduce floaters.
What happens if I ignore flashes and new floaters?
Ignoring sudden flashes and new floaters can be dangerous. If they’re caused by a retinal tear, fluid can leak behind the retina and cause detachment - a leading cause of preventable blindness. If treated within days, 90% of retinal detachments can be repaired successfully. If you wait weeks, the chance of permanent vision loss rises dramatically. Don’t gamble with your sight.