Eye Floaters and Flashes of Light
What are eye floaters & flashes of light?
Eye floaters look like dark specks, rings, or squiggly lines that drift across your vision, especially on bright backgrounds, and shift when your eyes move. Flashes resemble brief camera flashes or lightning streaks and may occur with or without floaters.
Common symptoms
- Difficulty focusing
- Eye strain or fatigue
- Sensitivity to light (Photophobia)
- Headaches or dizziness
- Redness or discomfort in the eyes
When to see a doctor
Most floaters are not a cause for concern. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you:
- Experience a sudden increase in floaters
- See persistent or frequent flashes of light
- Notice a shadow, curtain, or loss of peripheral vision
- Have recently had eye surgery or trauma
These could be signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which require urgent intervention to avoid permanent vision loss.
Treatments
Most floaters do not require treatment and often become less noticeable over time. Depending on the diagnosis, your eye specialist may suggest appropriate options.
Observation
If floaters are not interfering with vision, regular monitoring may be advised.
Causes of eye floaters & flashes
The primary cause of floaters and flashes is changes in the vitreous humour – the gel-like substance that fills the eye. As we age, this gel begins to liquify and shrink, leading to a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This pulling or separation can cause both floaters and flashes. Other potential causes include:
- Retinal tears or detachment
- Inflammatory eye diseases such as uveitis
- Haemorrhage in the eye (due to diabetes or trauma)
- Complications from cataract or retinal surgery
Identifying the exact cause requires a thorough eye examination.
Risk factors
In Singapore, the high prevalence of myopia increases the likelihood of floaters, particularly in younger individuals.
Are over 50 years old
Have high myopia (short-sightedness)
Have diabetes or diabetic retinopathy
Have had previous eye surgery
(especially cataract surgery)
Suffer from eye inflammation or infections
Have a family history of retinal conditions
Risk factors
What to expect during consultation?
At Eagle Eye Centre, your consultation will include:
- A detailed discussion about your symptoms and visual history
- A dilated eye exam to assess the vitreous and retina
- Advanced imaging such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) or fundus photography
- Diagnosis of any underlying condition such as PVD or retinal tear
Our experienced ophthalmologists will explain the findings clearly and recommend an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs.
WHAT YOU SEE MATTERS
Caring for your eyes
Eye floaters and flashes of light are common in Singapore, especially with high screen time, myopia, and ageing. While many assume they are harmless, sudden floaters or light flashes can be early warning signs of retinal tears or retinal detachment—serious conditions that may lead to vision loss if untreated.