Floaters & Flashes

We are all born with a with a “bag” full of gelatin in our eyes (this “gelatin” is called the Vitreous Humor and the bag containing it is called the Hyaloid Membrane). This bag of gelatin sits on top of the membrane that lines the inside of the eye (called the Retina), and it is supposed to be tightly adhered to it at all times.

As we age, this gelatin starts to lose its viscosity and liquifies; this is a process called Vitreous Sineresis and is a completely normal phenomeon. The problem is that, as this gel starts to liquify, there are parts of it that coalesce and form a small “clump” or opacity which floats freely inside the liquid filled bag.

From time to time, this small opacity comes closer to the back of the eye and its shadow falls onto the retina. When this happens, people complain of seeing a moving black shadow which resembles a small “mosquito” or a “fly” which moves about and “comes and goes” (hence the name “floater”). Although this can be a huge nuisance, in and of itself, this poses no threat to vision or to the overall health of the eye.

The problem is that as this bag of gelly becomes more liquid, it starts to move and “pulls” on the Retina. This “pulling” (traction) leads to multiple electrical signals (sort of like hitting below the knee with a plastic hammer), which in the eye, gets translated into “flashes of light.” These flashes, as alarming as they may appear, generally cause no problems either, and they usually disappear with time as this “bag” of gelly completely detaches from the Retina (this is called a “Posterior Vitreous Detachment” (PVD)).

The major problem is that at times, this traction leads to a hole or a complete “tear” in the retina (called a “horseshoe tear”), which can cause bleeding into the eye (called a Vitreous Hemorrhage) or a complete retina detachment, which can lead to permanent visual problems if not repaired in time.

This is why it is extremely important that as soon as such symptoms occur, you undergo a complete “dilated” fundus exam as well as a possible b-scan ultrasound of the affected eye, as if there is such a complication, it could easily be treated prophylactically by laser.

At the Soroudi Advanced LASIK & Eye Center, we posess both the necessary diagnostic tools to evaluate even the most “subtle” retinal/vitreal abnormalities as well as the most advanced “Diode” laser (by Carl Zeiss Meditec) in house to treat such holes/tears without having to refer you to a hospital. If you have new-onset floaters of flashes, please call the office for an urgent evaluation; the staff is aware you’ll need to be evaluated as soon as possible.