What are Flashes and Floaters?

Flashes and floaters are a typical but irritating condition that happens to many women and men as they start to age. Typically, this condition is not indicative of something worse, but we still recommend having your eyes assessed by one of our skilled eye doctors. Patients with floaters generally see them while looking at a light, white background, such as a computer screen. Floaters appear as small flecks or tiny curls that move throughout your eyesight. These floaters are small pieces of vitreous gel that have collected together. Further, flashes look like “lightning bolts,” which you tend to experience when you stand up too fast. Over time, flashes can start to become noticeable and appear like flashing lights. This visual symptom is triggered by your retina being pulled on by the vitreous gel instead of your eye.

If you unexpectedly start to notice flashes or floaters or they have started getting worse, it’s imperative to have your eyes examined by one of our ophthalmologists. At Visionary Eye Surgeons, our team is excited to offer a range of advanced vision services to Alberta.

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Flashes and Floaters Form

Although flashes and floaters occur at any age and for many people, they often become worse with age. This condition is not generally a sign of a more severe condition. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, please give us a call at our office. Flashes and floaters symptoms include:


  • Decline of peripheral vision
  • Frequent flashes of light
  • Appearance of recent, large floater
  • Sudden “shaded” vision, which temporarily darkens field of sight
  • Increase in floaters or flecks of spots

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As we start to age, flashes and floaters happen because the vitreous fluid between your lens and the retina starts to congeal and shrivel, which creates clumping. When the fluid becomes too clumpy, it can create floaters or dark lines that cast shade onto the retina. If you experience flashes, these happen because the vitreous membrane becomes smaller in size and begins to tug on the retina. The nerve cells within the retina react to the pulling, which creates the flashes. In some cases, refractive surgeries, like LASIK, may cause an increase in floaters; however, this is generally not related to a more serious condition. Additionally, if you experienced an injury or trauma to the eye, you may notice an increase in floaters and flashes. No matter the cause and if you notice an increase in these types of visual effects, our team Visionary Eye Surgeons can help you create a treatment plan. In order to determine the cause of the floaters it is important that you come in for a dilated exam because additional causes of floaters, could include:


  • Inflammation due to infection or autoimmune disorder
  • Bleeding in the eye caused by diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure, blocked blood vessels, or trauma
  • Retinal detachment
  • Severe nearsightedness

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In many cases, floaters subside on their own. However, sometimes they indicate a small tear on the retina, which could potentially worsen into a retinal detachment.

Retinal detachments often result in the need for surgery and could lead to permanent loss of vision. For this reason, new floaters should be examined by your ophthalmologist at your earliest convenience. During a dilated eye exam, one of our experienced surgeons will be able to determine whether your floater(s) is a normal change of the vitreous gel or whether it will need treatment. When treatment is needed, laser is an option that can be chosen to heal, seal, and barricade the tear to prevent retinal detachment. 

Contact our facility right away if you notice:


  • The sudden appearance of new floaters
  • Floaters accompanied new flashes of light in the same eye
  • Darkness in your peripheral vision

These symptoms could indicate the beginning of a retinal tear, which requires immediate medical attention to prevent further damage.

Book appointment →

Although flashes and floaters occur at any age and for many people, they often become worse with age. This condition is not generally a sign of a more severe condition. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, please give us a call at our office. Flashes and floaters symptoms include:


  • Decline of peripheral vision
  • Frequent flashes of light
  • Appearance of recent, large floater
  • Sudden “shaded” vision, which temporarily darkens field of sight
  • Increase in floaters or flecks of spots

Book appointment →

As we start to age, flashes and floaters happen because the vitreous fluid between your lens and the retina starts to congeal and shrivel, which creates clumping. When the fluid becomes too clumpy, it can create floaters or dark lines that cast shade onto the retina. If you experience flashes, these happen because the vitreous membrane becomes smaller in size and begins to tug on the retina. The nerve cells within the retina react to the pulling, which creates the flashes. In some cases, refractive surgeries, like LASIK, may cause an increase in floaters; however, this is generally not related to a more serious condition. Additionally, if you experienced an injury or trauma to the eye, you may notice an increase in floaters and flashes. No matter the cause and if you notice an increase in these types of visual effects, our team Visionary Eye Surgeons can help you create a treatment plan. In order to determine the cause of the floaters it is important that you come in for a dilated exam because additional causes of floaters, could include:


  • Inflammation due to infection or autoimmune disorder
  • Bleeding in the eye caused by diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure, blocked blood vessels, or trauma
  • Retinal detachment
  • Severe nearsightedness

Book appointment →

In many cases, floaters subside on their own. However, sometimes they indicate a small tear on the retina, which could potentially worsen into a retinal detachment.

Retinal detachments often result in the need for surgery and could lead to permanent loss of vision. For this reason, new floaters should be examined by your ophthalmologist at your earliest convenience. During a dilated eye exam, one of our experienced surgeons will be able to determine whether your floater(s) is a normal change of the vitreous gel or whether it will need treatment. When treatment is needed, laser is an option that can be chosen to heal, seal, and barricade the tear to prevent retinal detachment. 

Contact our facility right away if you notice:


  • The sudden appearance of new floaters
  • Floaters accompanied new flashes of light in the same eye
  • Darkness in your peripheral vision

These symptoms could indicate the beginning of a retinal tear, which requires immediate medical attention to prevent further damage.

Book appointment →

Treatment Options

If we diagnose you with a torn or detached retina, you will need prompt medical attention. In this case we will ensure you get the treatment you need to repair your torn or detached retina with a specialized laser. However, in some cases of a full detachment you may need a surgery called a vitrectomy in order to repair the torn retina. No matter the diagnosis, we strive to ensure you feel knowledgeable about the treatment options available to you.

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