The NHS offers clear advice for anyone who has noticed changes in their eyesight and is unsure whether they need medical help.
According to the health service, seeing dots, lines, floaters or flashes of light is relatively common and is usually not a sign of anything serious. These visual changes can have several causes, but they are often linked to normal age-related changes in the eye.
The NHS explains that many people, especially older adults, experience floaters and flashes. In most cases, they are caused by posterior vitreous detachment, known as PVD, a harmless process where the gel inside the eye changes over time.
However, the NHS warns that floaters and flashes can sometimes be linked to retinal detachment. This is a serious condition which can cause permanent sight loss if it is not treated. In some cases, floaters and flashes may also appear without any clear cause.
What are the symptoms of floaters and flashes?
Floaters in your vision can look like dots, lines or small shapes drifting across what you see.
- rings
- cobwebs
- small dark dots
- squiggly lines
Flashes are sudden bursts of light in your vision. They are often harmless and not usually a sign of a serious problem.
- they’re not getting worse
- your vision is not affected
- you’ve had them for a long time
Flashes may go away over time, while floaters often become less obvious as your brain gets used to them.
Ask for an urgent optician appointment or get help from NHS 111
You may need to contact NHS 111 or speak to your optician if you are worried about floaters, flashes or any sudden change in your vision.
- you also have blurred vision
- you have floaters or flashes in your vision for the first time
- floaters start after eye surgery or an eye injury
- the number of floaters or flashes suddenly increases
- you also have eye pain
- you have a dark “curtain” or shadow moving across your vision
- you suddenly get floaters or flashes in your vision
The NHS explains: These could be signs of a serious problem with the back of your eye, which could permanently affect your vision if it’s not treated quickly.”
What will happen if I contact my optician?
If you notice floaters or flashes in your vision, an optician can examine your eyes and determine whether you need to be referred to an ophthalmologist for further testing or treatment. Most people only need treatment if there’s an underlying problem that could affect their eyesight.
