When Those Dancing Spots in Your Vision Could Signal a Medical Emergency
Eye floaters and flashes are among the most common visual disturbances people experience, yet many don’t realize when these seemingly harmless symptoms require urgent medical attention. While most floaters are benign, retinal detachment is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss. Understanding the difference between normal age-related changes and warning signs of serious eye conditions could save your sight.
Understanding Eye Floaters and Flashes
Most floaters are tiny flecks of a protein called collagen. They’re part of a gel-like substance in the back of your eye called the vitreous. As you age, the protein fibers that make up the vitreous shrink into little shreds that clump together. The shadows they cast on your retina are floaters. Eye floaters are typically described as tiny spots, specks, or “cobwebs” that appear randomly in vision. They are often noticed when looking at a bright, clear sky or a white computer screen.
Flashes occur when the vitreous has pulled away from the retina. As the vitreous gel collapses it can pull on your retina. If this were to happen, you would see it as a flash of light. Retinal tears or retinal detachment are often characterized by flashing lights, streaks of lightning, or stars in your line of sight. These flashes are often white or yellow and may be more noticeable in a dark room.
When Floaters and Flashes Become Emergencies
While many floaters and flashes are harmless, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience: A sudden increase in floaters or flashes of light. A shadow or “curtain” across your vision.
The most concerning scenarios include:
- A torn retina or retinal detachment may lead to a sudden increase in floaters as well as flashes. This needs immediate medical attention.
- The sudden appearance of floaters and flashes could signal a vitreous hemorrhage or a tear in your retina.
- In 2% of the people with a vitreous separation, the retina will tear, often crossing a blood vessel and causing a few blobs and blotches that diffuse into clouds that break up into hundreds of tiny dots, typical of blood in the back of the eye. In 1 in 1,000 people with a vitreous separation, the retina will detach, allowing fluid to go underneath the retina through a retinal tear, separating the retina from its normal blood supply and causing a dark area in the peripheral vision.
Medical Guidelines for Emergency Care
Medical professionals follow specific protocols when evaluating floaters and flashes. A recent meta-analysis supports same-day referral for any patient with acute onset of floaters or flashes of light and a defect in their visual field (“curtain of darkness”). Patients with acute onset of floaters or flashes of light but no defect in their visual field should be seen within one week.
See a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of a serious eye condition such as flashes of light, a sudden increase in the number of floaters, and eye pain. Additional warning signs include darkened side vision along with eye flashes and floaters, which may indicate retinal detachment.
Other Causes to Consider
Not all flashes are related to eye emergencies. Flashes unrelated to eye issues, called visual aura, are common symptoms of migraines. Visual aura often precedes the headache part of a migraine by 5-60 minutes and can be described as flashes of light, wiggly lines, or other visual disturbances. However, if you experience flashes without a headache, they’re likely not part of a migraine attack.
Flashing lights or “floaters” in your vision can signify a stroke. Other symptoms include blurred vision, dark spots, and vision changes that worsen over time. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ministroke can cause sudden vision loss, blurred vision, double vision, and light sensitivity. These changes usually affect one eye only and are often painless. Seek immediate medical help.
The Importance of Professional Eye Care
Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for maintaining eye health and catching problems early. A comprehensive eye exam, including pupil dilation and retinal funduscopy, can help identify the reason for the flashes. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist will use eye drops and a special microscope to look inside your eyes to check if your retina is damaged.
For residents of Suffolk County seeking expert eye care, consulting with an experienced eye doctor Suffolk County can provide the comprehensive evaluation needed to distinguish between benign symptoms and serious conditions requiring immediate treatment. North Shore Advanced Eye Care, led by Dr. Edward J. Moylan, combines over 25 years of experience with cutting-edge technology to deliver personalized care for all eye health needs, including emergency situations.
Treatment and Follow-up Care
Treatment depends on the cause of your floaters, but if a retinal tear is detected, surgery could preserve your vision. Tears in the retina or retinal detachment may require surgery. For less serious cases, there’s no treatment for shrinking of the vitreous that normally occurs with age.
Patients with uncomplicated posterior vitreous detachment should be re-examined by an ophthalmologist at six weeks, as 3.4% will have a new retinal tear. This highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring even after initial evaluation.
When to Seek Care
While many people have floaters or flashes of light in their vision on occasion, if these suddenly appear, do not stop, or change dramatically, you should get help from a doctor immediately. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional anytime you experience a sudden, severe change in your vision. This is particularly true for visual disturbances that happen more than once or for an extended period.
Remember, if symptoms get worse or appear suddenly, get emergency medical attention. Your vision is irreplaceable, and prompt treatment of retinal emergencies can mean the difference between preserving sight and permanent vision loss. Don’t hesitate to contact your eye care provider or visit an emergency room if you experience concerning symptoms – when it comes to your eyesight, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.