Care / Floaters and Flashes

Floaters & Flashes

Floaters are tiny shapes that drift across your vision and are most visible against a bright sky or a pale wall. Often harmless and age-related, but sometimes the first warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment that needs treatment urgently.

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Changes in vision

Floaters and flashes
what you may notice

Floaters can look like small specks, threads, or cobwebs drifting across your vision. Flashes can appear as brief streaks or flickers of light.

Small specks, threads or cobwebs drifting across your vision

Floaters often stand out against a bright sky or pale wall

Brief flashes at the edge of your vision

Flashes may be more noticeable in dim light

A sudden shower of new floaters

A dark curtain, shadow, or missing area of vision

Most long-standing,  and stable
Floaters are Harmless.

Our role is not to dismiss your symptoms or cause unnecessary alarm. By examining the retina carefully, we can determine whether your floaters are harmless or need monitoring or treatment.

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ASSESSMENT and approach

How our doctors approach floaters at European Eye Center

The first priority is to rule out a retinal tear or detachment. New floaters and flashes may result from a harmless vitreous change, but symptoms alone cannot reliably distinguish this from a retinal problem. A careful dilated examination allows us to inspect the retina, including the far periphery where small tears may occur.

Dilated retinal examination

We examine the retina through a dilated pupil to look for retinal tears, holes or detachment.

Peripheral retinal assessment

The far edges of the retina are checked carefully, as this is where small tears
can occur.

OCT imaging when needed

OCT provides detailed cross-sectional images of the macula when central retinal structures need closer assessment.

B-scan ultrasound
when the view is obscured

If blood or dense floaters block the view, ultrasound can help assess the retina and vitreous.

Why it matters

Why new floaters or flashes need checking

Most long-standing floaters are harmless. But new or suddenly increased floaters and flashes can mean the vitreous is pulling on the retina — and in some cases may signal a retinal tear or retinal detachment.

A sudden burst or increase in floaters requires prompt assessment

Flashes together with new floaters need a prompt eye examination

A curtain or shadow across your vision requires urgent assessment

Sudden blurred or reduced vision requires urgent assessment

Why act quickly?

A retinal tear can sometimes progress to retinal detachment. Early assessment helps protect vision and determines whether urgent treatment is needed.

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Dr. JD Ferwerda
Lead Ophthalmologist · Cataract and Retina Surgeon

Dr. JD Ferwerda, MD

Dr. JD Ferwerda, MD: Dutch-trained ophthalmologist specialising in cataracts, lens exchange, retinal disease, glaucoma, and AMD.

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