Flashes

Flashes are often caused by the vitreous (the gel filling the inside of your eye) pulling on the retina (a membrane that lines the inside of the eye.) A few flashes are seen by everyone from time to time, and usually seen in one eye at a time.

As you age or if you are nearsighted (have fuzzy distance vision), you are more likely to see flashes. Most often, seeing a few flashes is normal. Also, some people may notice them for a while after eye surgery. Most flashes require no treatment. Sometimes, flashes are signs of other eye problems that need care.

See you eye doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• You have never seen flashes before and all of a sudden you see a lot of them.
• You've seen some flashes before, but you have a sudden increase in the number you see.
• You've seen some flashes for a long time, but they now look different then they used to.
• Flashes make it hard to do your normal tasks.

Flashes that appear all of a sudden or great increase in a number may be a sign of a problem. They may be caused by the vitreous pulling too hard on the retina. This can make the retina tear or detach from the back of the eye. Rapid vision loss can result. Your eye doctor can find the cause of flashes and decide if treatment is needed.

The older you get, the more flashes you may see. They are usually harmless.  But if you suddenly notice more of them, it may be a sign of an eye problem that needs care. Get regular eye exams to be sure that your flashes are normal and to protect and preserve your vision.