Flashes & Floaters

Patients usually present with a sudden onset of floaters in front of their vision. A floater moves with the patient and occasionally disappears from view. A PVD is a normal event that occurs with age and does not need to be treated.

Patients become accustomed to the floater and often the brain ‘adapts’ so it is rarely seen. Rarely a floater can become very bothersome.

In a small percentage of patients with PVDs as the vitreous pulls away from the retina a small tear is formed. If a retinal tear occurs patients will usually notice and increase in floaters, flashing lights to the side or a curtain over their visual field.

A small retinal tear is treated with laser in the rooms to seal the break. Topical anaesthetic is instilled into the eye and a contact lens inserted to visualise the break. Laser is then applied. Patients tolerate this very well. Follow up is required to check the tear is sealed.

Occasionally a retinal tear results in a retinal detachment if fluid tracks beneath the retina at the point of the break. This is more common in myopic or short sighted people. This requires surgery to repair. This has a very high success rate with modern techniques.