Say you are going on with your day, and then all of a sudden, at an instant glance, you may see a moment of brightness or a momentary spot that flies around your eye. To many, this would just be a one-off occurrence that would be ignored with a shrug.
But suppose these strange flashes and floaters come even more often? Are they common ageing symptoms, or a cause for alarm about a severe problem? Though most cases are nothing to worry about, the symptoms may at times portray an extreme issue with the retina, which needs urgent treatment. It is therefore imperative to get medical attention promptly, whether or not a retina doctor is involved in correcting the condition, because the earlier the condition is treated, the better it is before developing blindness.
What are Flashes & Floaters?
Flashes are the momentary, blurred, bright light slashes or sparks which appear to the eyes and can be defined as lightning or camera flashes in most instances. They are not lights outside of the eye, but are themselves a feeling of light within the eye. Floaters are, however, specks, dots or dark shapes which seem to move across your line of sight. These are most prominent when one looks at a clear blue sky or a white wall, which are plain and bright. Both floaters and flashes are, most often, the result of the alteration of the vitreous, or the jelly-like clear fluid in the back of your eye.
When to Worry: Dangerous Signs of Retinal Problems
Although flashes and floaters are typical and sometimes harmless, some of the symptoms are supposed to be taken as the retinal detachment warning ones. An untreated sufferer might risk losing his or her vision and losing it permanently. Medical attention is a task of immediate care when you experience:
- A sudden and dramatic increase in the number of flashes and floaters.
- A ‘curtain’ or ‘shadow’ appearing in your peripheral (side) vision.
- Sudden, excessive formation of flashes and floaters, particularly in case they are supplemented by gaps in eyesight.
- A flickering brightness in one definite spot of your field of view.
These are some of the most important retinal detachment warning signs, as these symptoms are signs that the vitreous gel has started to pull off the retina in a manner that develops a tear. The most important thing in such cases is the early detection and the eye-flash.
What Causes These Symptoms?
The flashes and floaters are most commonly associated with a normal ageing process in the eye known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). As we grow older, the vitreous gel liquefies and detaches from the retina. This may lead to flashes because the gel pulls itself on the retina to form floaters, which occur in the shape of small lumps of the gel that cast shadows on the retina. But in case the vitreous gel attaches to the retina more tightly, then the pulling will cause a tear in the retina. This tear may then permit fluid to leak beneath the retina, resulting in it becoming detached instead of lying flat over the back of the eye, a severe condition called a retinal detachment. The causes on the other side may be eye trauma, retinopathy, and inflammation in cases of diabetes.
Retina Specialist Diagnostic Approach
The eye needs to be examined carefully and in depth when you arrive at a professional retina doctor in Hyderabad, and you complain of the phenomenon of flashes and floaters. He or she will dilate your pupils to obtain an unblocked view of the retina at the back of the eye. They will make use of the specialised instruments to look across the retina, checking that there is no tear or detachment and that there are no abnormalities. In the event it suffers a tear, it will be dealt with as quickly as possible to avoid a complete detachment. The test is non-painful and the only means to state precisely the reason behind your symptoms and to prescribe the proper eye flashes treatment protocol.
Treatment Options & When to Act Fast
The required eye flash treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis. If a retinal tear is detected before it progresses to a detachment, a simple outpatient procedure can often be performed.
- Laser Photocoagulation: A laser can be used by the retina specialist to inflict a set of retinal burns around the tear. This closes the sides so that fluid does not move in and out of the sides, leading to a detachment. This is an efficient procedure that is fast.
- Cryopexy: A freezing probe is applied to the surface of the eye in some cases in order to cause a scar to close the tear in the retina.
In case the detachment has already taken place, the reattachment of the retina is to be performed with the surgical procedure to preserve vision. The question is to do it fast. Retinal detachment is a sight-threatening medical emergency, and the quicker the retina is redetached, the better the prospects are of saving sight. A few hours’ delay can prove fatal.
Neoretina: The Best Retina Specialist in Hyderabad
Floaters and flashes may not be a serious occurrence; whenever they take place, it is normal to be scared, but most people should not be alarmed when they experience them. The sudden appearance of these symptoms, particularly when a shadow is seen in your vision, should not be disregarded. One must keep in mind that these are crucial retinal detachment warning signs. The most responsible thing you can do to save your eyesight is to visit an experienced eye specialist with issues of the retina.
At the Neoretina Eyecare Institute, we know how urgent and professional care should be. Expert retina specialists make up our skilled and experienced team at Hyderabad with state-of-the-art electronic diagnostic and treatment facilities to deliver the most accurate and considerate care. Never wait and see a doctor when you are having flashes and floaters. Relieve yourself of the responsibility of analysing and diagnosing this problem with professional eyes to receive the right eye flashes treatment.
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