Franklin November 2016

Page 22 Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com November 2016
Living Healthy
Flashes and Floaters
By: Roger M. Kaldawy, M.D.,
Milford Franklin Eye Center
Many patients will be aware
of small flying “black spots” in
the field of vision in one or both
eyes. These are called floaters
and may be associated with
flashes of light. Flashes and floaters
may have serious implications
on the vision.
What are floaters?
Floaters are small black shadows
in the vision of one or both
eyes, especially when looking at a
specific surface like a white page,
a bright sky or perhaps when
walking on the beach. These
black spots are impurities in the
fluid that fills the back cavity of
the eye. This jelly fluid is called
the “vitreous” and has a consistency
similar to “egg white.” This
vitreous fluid is present in the eye
from birth and is not replaced
or exchanged during life. It is
initially attached to the surface
of the retina, which is the light
sensitive nerve tissue layer that
lines the back surface of the
wall of the eye. It is important
to note that it is not necessarily
abnormal to see black spots in
the vision. The size and number
of floaters seen is variable; some
patients (especially short sighted
people) will be aware of numerous
floaters, while others may
never be aware of the symptom
at all. Some floaters can interfere
severely with vision, while others
are barely noticeable. Although
annoying, floaters are usually
harmless and come and go over
the years.
What are flashes?
Flashes are usually caused by
the vitreous body tugging on the
retina. This tugging occurs when
the vitreous body shrinks as a
normal part of the aging process.
Flashes may last for a few
seconds or several minutes and
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can occur on and off for weeks
or months. They are usually seen
at night or in poor lighting.
Eye migraine can cause
the perception of similar light
flashes, although often these
flashes of light may have numerous
colors. The abnormal light
flashes seen with migraines are
usually very different, appearing
as jagged lines blocking an area
of vision or moving slowly across
the field of vision in one or both
eyes. People who suffer from migraine
headaches will often know
the familiar pattern of these
visual experiences, often occurring
just before the headaches
begin. These migraine flashes
are unrelated to the vitreous
body and its attachment to the
retina.
What causes flashes and
floaters?
The vitreous is composed
of collagen, and this undergoes
structural changes with age, and
will become more liquid like and
watery in later life. At some point,
the chemical bonds that link the
vitreous fluid to the surface of
the retina will become weaker
and the vitreous jelly will separate
from the retina. This
process is called posterior
vitreous detachment or
PVD and is a normal consequence
of aging. Approximately
half of us will have a PVD in one
or both eyes by the age of 60.
PVD will often cause us to notice
the sudden onset of new floaters,
often associated with flashes of
light. Unfortunately, the vitreous
body is sometimes more firmly
attached to the surface of the retina
and may pull away a piece of
the retina or tear the retina as it
separates. This can cause fluid to
escape, pushing the retina off the
inside of the eye. This is known
as retinal detachment, which is a
serious threat to sight. Surgery is
needed to reattach the retina if a
retinal detachment occurs.
When should I seek help?
See your ophthalmologist
if new floaters appear, with or
without sudden light flashes. Any
loss of peripheral (side) vision
EYE
continued on page 23
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