If you’re like most people, you’ve seen small moving spots or lines in your field of vision. Seven out of 10 people experience these “floaters” at some point in their lives. Sometimes a flash of light appears at the same time. Floaters and flashes are extremely common and are usually no cause for worry.

The vitreous gel that fills the eye contains water and proteins. When the proteins occasionally clump together, they block light and cast a shadow on the retina. This shadow is what we call a floater, which is generally gray or white and semi-transparent. Floaters and flashes may also appear when the vitreous gel in your eyes separates from the retina -- a normal sign of aging. In rare instances, however, floaters and flashes may signal a retinal tear or detachment which can cause vision loss or blindness.

During your regular eye exams, tell your doctor if you see floaters and flashes. You should schedule an appointment right away if:

• You suddenly start seeing lots of floaters and flashes
• The floaters you’re used to seeing look different than before
• A veil or gray area appears in your peripheral (side) vision
• Your floaters interfere with important tasks such as reading and driving
• You had floaters in one eye months or years ago and now you have them in the other eye

If there are signs of retinal damage, your doctor can take steps to prevent a serious loss of vision.

Treatment
There is no way to prevent floaters and flashes. Fortunately, most floaters fade within a few weeks or months. Your brain will learn to ignore any floaters that remain.

If a floater is in your direct line of vision, it might help to move your eye up and down or side to side. This shifts the fluid in your eye which usually causes the floater to move.

In the unusual event that floaters interfere significantly with your vision and don’t fade over time, you doctor might recommend a surgical procedure called vitrectomy. The surgery is very effective, but because it is major surgery, it’s rarely warranted for floaters alone.

Eyecare Medical Group provides examinations for flashes and floaters in Maine and is conveniently located for patients from Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Scarborough, Freeport, Lewiston, Augusta, Bangor, Waterville, Bath, Wiscasset, Bridgeton, Cumberland Center, Yarmouth, Topsham, Brunswick, Auburn, Gardiner, Winslow and Skowhegan Maine.