Flashes and floaters can appear in your vision as a result of the natural aging process. As you age, the gel-like fluid in your eye, the vitreous, shrinks. At Ritz & Johnson Fashion Eyecare Center, we have been treating flashes and floaters for many years. Read on to learn more about what causes flashes and floaters and what can be done to treat them.
What is a Floater?
A floater does just that –floats across your field of vision. It is annoying, but generally not painful or harmful. Floaters are little pieces of vitreous that have solidified and broken away. As they are drifting around in your eye, they pass in front of your macula. That is when they come into your vision. For the most part, other than driving you a little crazy, you don't need to do anything about floaters and after a while, you may not even notice that they are there.
What is a Flash?
A flash is a result of the same age-related shrinkage of the vitreous that causes floaters. When the vitreous shrinks, it pulls on the retina. This causes flashes of light to appear in your line of vision. Flashes also appear to those who suffer from migraines with auras. They are a warning that a migraine is imminent. They may appear as a jagged line or a flash of one light or multiple lights.
Treating Floaters and Flashes
Unless eye floaters are a symptom of a more serious condition, like a detached retina, there is no treatment for them. If flashes are caused by a tear in the retina or a detachment of the retina, that problem must be dealt with. If they're caused by migraines, treating the migraine will relieve the issue but only until the next migraine hits.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist in Ocala, FL
At Ritz and Johnson, we are a full-service optometry office serving not just Ocala, but also The Villages, Silver Springs, and Anthony, FL. We will assess your condition to determine what is causing your floaters and flashes and recommend treatment accordingly. Call us today at (352) 732-7900 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.