Treatment Options for Flashes and Floaters
Submitted by Michael J. Elman, M.D. on October 26, 2024
Experiencing flashes and floaters in your vision can be unsettling. At Elman Retina Group, we understand the concerns of these visual disturbances and are here to guide you through the available treatment options.
Our experienced doctors put their decades of specialized retina treatment experience to work by creating personalized solutions that correct those pesky vision issues and get you back to clear vision.
This blog explains how flashes and floaters affect your vision and how treatment can help.
Understanding Flashes and Floaters
Flashes are brief bursts of light in your vision, like seeing light streaks. Floaters are small, shadowy shapes that drift across your field of vision. The two can appear together or separately.
Many adults experience occasional flashes and floaters as they age. These usually occur due to posterior vitreous detachment, in which the gel that fills the eye (vitreous body) starts shrinking.
As the vitreous body shrinks, it tugs at the retina at the back of your eye. This tugging can cause flashes and floaters. Posterior vitreous detachment is normal, and nearly everyone experiences it.
When Flashes and Floaters Require Treatment
With posterior vitreous detachment, it’s common to see occasional flashes and floaters, but it’s usually not highly disruptive. However, seeing many flashes and floaters or experiencing a sudden increase could indicate a serious problem, like a torn or detached retina. Those situations are medical emergencies.
Regular eye exams are the best way to monitor changes in your eyes, detect problems, and get treatment to avoid eye emergencies.
In general, we tell our patients that if flashes and floaters are affecting their quality of life, it’s time to reach out to us so we can explain your treatment options.
Treatment Options for Flashes and Floaters
If flashes and floaters significantly impact your vision or daily activities, we often recommend nonsurgical approaches.
- Observation: We monitor your symptoms to ensure they don’t worsen.
- Medication: Sometimes, anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce symptoms, especially related to underlying eye conditions.
- Laser therapy: This treatment uses state-of-the-art laser technology to target and break up floaters, making them less visible.
Depending on symptoms, condition, and treatment response, you could need eye surgery. For example, a vitrectomy can help if flashes and floaters significantly impair your vision.
This surgery involves removing the vitreous gel that contains the floaters and replacing it with a saline solution or a gas or oil bubble that helps your eye retain its shape.
Retinal Disease Care From Leading Experts
At Elman Retina Group, our experienced doctors provide comprehensive care for flashes and floaters. We’re known as innovators because our doctors constantly strive to increase their knowledge, expand treatment options, and find the latest proven approaches for our patients.
Call us at 410-686-3000 or contact us online to make an appointment and learn more about our expert retinal disease care. Let us help you achieve a clearer vision and peace of mind.
