What are eye floaters and eye flashes and what do they mean?

Eye Floaters are the little dots that seem to drift around in the fluid of the eye. They are common in people over the age of 50 who have experienced some trauma to the eye. Other common events can also cause floaters such as heavy lifting, vomiting, coughing or sometimes just rubbing the eyes.

Floaters can be annoying or distressing and nearsighted people almost always have a certain number of floaters because of the shape of their eye. The number of floaters also increases with age.

During fetal life there are certain blood vessels and cells within the eye that remain after birth. Some of these blood vessels and cells cause mild shadows in the vision which we call floaters.

Eye Flashes can appear as lightning or as vertical or crescent shaped lines of light. They appear primarily in the dark.

Eye floaters and eye flashes are generally harmless, although they may be frightening.

You should be aware, however that they can indicate the presence of a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

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This article is for informational purposes only. For additional information regarding the latest advancements in this area, consult with a qualified eye care specialist. Any and all materials provided on this web site are for information purposes only. Have your eyes examined regularly and always follow your eye care professional's instructions for the proper use and care of your contact lenses.