If you’ve recently noticed flashes of light or floaters in your vision, it could be more than just a visual quirk. In this video, Dr. Ashley Cowart, optometrist at Florida Eye Specialists, explains the common causes of flashes — and when they may signal a more serious condition such as a retinal tear or detachment.
Flashes can be caused by age-related changes to the vitreous gel inside your eye, but persistent or sudden visual disturbances should never be ignored. Dr. Cowart walks viewers through warning signs, diagnostic steps, and why it’s important to see an eye doctor immediately.
Florida Eye Specialists provides prompt diagnosis and advanced retinal care to help preserve your sight.
Video Transcript
There are several different reasons why someone may see flashes of light. One of the most common reasons somebody may see this is what’s called a posterior vitreous detachment. The vitreous is basically like a jelly inside of our eyes; over time, it changes consistency, and with that change in consistency, some people can start to see flashes of light. If they do see that, it’s important that they come in and have their eyes dilated, and we can look for any problems in the retina as a result of that jelly change.
