Flashes and floaters are visual phenomena that occur when the vitreous, the gel-like substance inside the eye, changes with age, shrinking and pulling on the retina. Floaters are small, dark, shadowy shapes that appear in your field of vision, caused by tiny pieces of the vitreous that break loose within the eye. Flashes appear as flickers of light or lightning streaks, especially in the peripheral vision, caused by the mechanical stimulation of the retina. While often benign, a sudden increase in flashes and floaters can indicate a retinal detachment, requiring immediate medical attention.
Floaters are like little bugs or specks that float around in your vision, and flashes are like seeing sparks or lightning flashes. They happen when the jelly inside your eye gets older and changes.
