Charleston Eyewear Store | Charleston Flashes and Floaters | WV | Ramsey Eyecare |

Flashes and Floaters:

Vitreous Floaters (black spots) are very common symptoms.  These floaters are perceived by patients, as single or multiple black spots that move back and forth within the central vision with motion in the eye.  These floaters are due to small bits of tissue that shift within the jelly similar to the paperweights that one sees around the holiday season with swirling "snow" as one shakes the paperweight.  These bits of tissue floating in the jelly cast a shadow on the retina, which is perceived as a black dot.  Patients are usually aware of these floaters under bright illumination, such as driving on a bright sunny day or reading under a bright reading lamp.  Floaters, while a nuisance, are usually not an indication of serious trouble.  

When an individual experiences a sudden appearance of floaters similar to a cloud of gnats, accompanied by flashes of light (lightning streaks), this may indicate the presence of a vitreous separation (posterior vitreous detachment).  Vitreous separation occurs in approximately 50% of individuals over the age of 50 and is a normal aging change in the vitreous jelly.  This vitreous separation is more common in nearsighted (myopic) people, and for this reason may occur at a younger age.  Approximately 1-2% of people experiencing a vitreous separation will also have a more serious condition - a retinal hole or tear.  Retinal holes and tears occur most commonly during vitreous separations that are accompanied with the multiple floaters and flashes of light in the affected eye.  Individuals who are experiencing the above symptoms should contact our office immediately at 343-3363 to set up a consultation.    

Retinal tears and holes are important to detect early, as they can lead to a very serious condition called a retinal detachment.  Retinal holes and tears are usually treated easily with a laser or cryogenic freezing treatment, whereas a retinal detachment repair frequently involves major eye surgery.  Consequently, upon developing symptoms of flashes and floaters it is imperative for the eye to undergo a complete retinal examination.  Usually the flashes and floaters will persist for several weeks to several months following a vitreous separation.  They should steadily decrease in frequency.  Even if an eye is examined fully and no retinal holes or tears are found, changes can occur at a later date that may result in a tear in the future.  Therefore, if a sudden increase in the number of flashes or the number of floaters occurs, this is an indication to have the eye re-examined.  Please review the "Door Test of Peripheral Vision" below so that you will be able to track your eye health over time.  

Regular checking of side vision is important because retinal detachment in its early stages affect side vision first.  Regular checking of the side vision is the best insurance that an individual can have against developing a retinal detachment that could be undetected until significant visual loss occurs.

Door Test of Peripheral Vision:

The Door Test is a reliable way to check your peripheral vision.  The following steps must be performed:

1. Sit on a chair, approximately 6 feet from a standard sized door opening with the door closed.
2. Cover the eye without the symptoms.
3. Look directly at the center point of the door.
4. Without moving your eye from the center point of the door, make certain that all corners of the door are visible.
5. Do this once every day until the symptoms of flashes and floaters have disappeared, and continue testing for approximately one month following the resolution of the symptoms.
6. If one of the corners of the door is missing upon testing (i.e. a black curtain or shade appearing to be drawn across one portion of the door), call our office immediately at 343-3363.  This may be a symptom of an early retinal detachment.
7. If the door test is still normal, however you are experiencing a sudden increase in the number of flashes or floaters, please call the office number for advice.

Retinal detachment is an extremely uncommon condition, so it is unlikely that you will develop a retinal detachment as the result of your vitreous separation.  Using the door test, however, is your best reassurance of the healthy state of your retina.

If you have any questions regarding the performance if the door test or need any other explanations, please feel free to contact our office for more information and advice at 343-3363.