Floaters are small dots, lines, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision. They are common and often related to normal ageing changes in the eye.
When should I be concerned?
Seek urgent assessment if you notice:
- A sudden onset or increase in floaters
- Flashing lights
- A shadow or curtain in your vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which requires prompt treatment to protect sight.
Contact Us UrgentlyFrequently Asked Questions
Floaters are small dots, lines, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision. They are common and often related to normal ageing changes in the eye. Floaters occur when tiny clumps form in the clear gel (vitreous) inside your eye, casting shadows on the retina.
Seek urgent assessment if you notice:
- A sudden onset or increase in floaters
- Flashing lights
- A shadow or curtain in your vision
A retinal tear occurs when the gel inside the eye pulls on the retina. If untreated, it can lead to a retinal detachment. Any sudden change in floaters or flashes should be checked urgently. Retinal tears can often be treated with laser in the clinic to prevent detachment.
Flashing lights (photopsia) occur when the vitreous gel pulls on the retina. While often benign, new flashes require urgent examination to exclude retinal tears or detachment, which need prompt treatment.
If you experience sudden floaters, flashes, or a shadow in your vision, contact Miss Korina Theodoraki promptly or seek emergency eye care. Early intervention can prevent permanent vision loss from retinal detachment.
Concerned about your symptoms?
If you notice sudden floaters, flashes, or a shadow in your vision, contact us promptly for urgent assessment.