Ever spotted drifting specks or sudden streaks of light in your vision?
It’s something I hear often at Picton Eyecare. Patients describe cobwebs, moving dots, or flickering lights and wonder if it’s normal. Most of the time, these are harmless signs of ageing eyes—but sometimes, they’re a warning your retina needs urgent attention.
I’m Dr. Nandita Chowdhury, Principal Optometrist at Picton Eyecare. Let me explain what floaters and flashes really mean—and when to take them seriously.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters are tiny shapes that drift across your vision. They might look like squiggles, dots, or shadows—especially noticeable when looking at the sky or a white wall.
They form when the gel inside your eye (the vitreous) begins to change. As we age, this gel becomes thinner and pulls away from the retina. That process—called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)—is common and usually harmless.
But not always.
If you suddenly see more floaters than usual, especially alongside light flashes or blurred vision, it could be something more serious—like a retinal tear or detachment. That’s when you need to act fast.
What About Flashes?
Flashes are brief flickers of light, like lightning at the edge of your vision. They’re caused by the vitreous tugging on the retina—often during the normal ageing process.
But persistent or intense flashes can mean trouble. They may signal a retinal tear or detachment, especially if they only affect one eye.
Some people get flashes during migraines too—those are usually harmless and happen in both eyes. They often last 10–20 minutes and come with zigzag patterns or shimmering lights.
Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
Not every floater or flash is a problem—but these signs are:
- A sudden burst of floaters or new flashes
- A dark shadow, like a curtain, across your vision
- Tiny pepper-like dots scattered across your visual field
These symptoms may mean the retina is torn or starting to detach. If that happens, you could lose vision permanently without quick treatment.
Who’s at Risk?
You’re more likely to have serious issues from flashes or floaters if:
- You’re over 50
- You’re highly short-sighted (myopic)
- You’ve had cataract surgery or an eye injury
- You have a family history of retinal detachment
Knowing your risk can help you stay ahead of problems.
How We Check for Trouble
At Picton Eyecare, we start with a thorough conversation about your symptoms—what you’re seeing, when it started, and how it’s changed.
Then, we examine the inside of your eye using dilating drops. These drops open your pupils wide, giving us a clear view of the retina, macula, and vitreous.
If needed, we may use:
- Digital Retinal Scans – Use to reveal changes in the surface of the retina.
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – High-resolution cross-sections of the deeper retinal layers.
These tools help us catch problems early—often before they cause vision loss.
What Can Be Done?
For Floaters:
Most floaters settle on their own. Your brain often learns to ignore them. But if they’re large, persistent, or affect your daily life, we may consider:
- Laser vitreolysis – Breaks up floaters using focused laser energy
- Vitrectomy – Surgically removes the gel (and the floaters) from the eye
Surgery is a last resort, and we only recommend it when floaters are severely affecting your vision.
For Retinal Tears:
If caught early, a small tear can be treated before it becomes a detachment. Options include:
- Laser therapy – Seals the tear with pinpoint burns
- Cryotherapy – Freezes the area to form a scar barrier
These are in-office treatments and usually have quick recovery times.
If the retina is already detaching, we’ll refer you urgently for surgery. Depending on the case, this might involve:
- Vitrectomy – To relieve pressure and repair the tear
- Gas bubble injection (pneumatic retinopexy) – Holds the retina in place while it heals
- Scleral buckle – A supportive band placed around the eye
Final Thoughts
Your eyes won’t always scream when something’s wrong—but they do whisper. If you notice new floaters, sudden flashes, or dark shadows, it’s time to listen.
The earlier we catch a retinal tear, the better your chance of keeping your vision safe.
At Picton Eyecare, we take every symptom seriously—so you don’t have to second-guess your eyes.
You can call us on (02) 4603 2309 or arrange an appointment using the “Book Now” button in the website menu. We are conveniently located in the heart of Picton, NSW. There is plenty of parking available at the back of our store.
B.Optom (UoA), PGOT (UNSW)
Nandita is the principal optometrist of Picton Eyecare. She has over 15 years of extensive experience working in corporate and independent optometry practice. Opening Picton Eyecare in 2022 has fulfilled Nandita’s dream of an independent optometry practice, committed in serving the local community of Wollondilly and surrounding areas.
Nandita is caring and passionate about providing professional, personal and customised solution for every patient. She takes interest in all her patients and employs her skills and expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient. She maintains great relationships with other medical professionals in the area.
Nandita is a local resident and has been working in the Southern Highlands for many years. She has a loyal following of patients who value her clinical and interpersonal relationships.
When not at work Nandita loves spending time with her family.