Floaters and flashes
Published:Monday | January 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
For just over two weeks prior to last Wednesday, I noticed a frequent flash of light out of the corner of my right eye. The first few times it actually seemed like an insect had passed in a flash or a spark of light moving in seconds. Then it started to seem like thread-like membranes or strands of hair or even a cobweb floating across the top of my eye. It was annoying and as the frequency increased, I became a tad concerned.
So, I did what everyone does these days. I Googled: "what causes flashes of light in the eyes?" Among the reasons listed was a bump in the head and I latched on to that and began to get images of my eye being dislodged from it's moorings inside my head. I had bumped my head in the car and on the fridge door at least three times in the last month. Was this the first sign of blindness?
Coincidentally, my eye examination for new prescription glasses was past due, so I made an appointment to visit my ophthalmologist at Superior Optical, 7th Avenue Plaza, along Constant Spring Road in St Andrew last Wednesday. Receptionist Sidnia Miller was the model of courtesy and professionalism and Tanya Miler, dispenser, was professional, helpful, knowledgeable about frames and informative. They made the consultation pleasant.
Vitreous syneresis
When I outlined my problem to Opthalmologist Dr Ronald Gregg, he said the condition was vitreous syneresis and he gets similar complaints from his patients, and had seen one patient with it just the previous day. He said the "flashes" I'd seen were actually called floaters and result when the vitreous gel in the eye starts to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye causing a posterior vitreous detachment. This condition can begin in people over 45 but is most common for those who:
Are nearsighted
Have undergone cataract operations
Have had YAG (yttrium-aluminium-garnet) laser surgery of the eye
Have had inflammation inside the eye.
According to www.eyenet.org. the appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially if they develop suddenly. The website information advises persons to visit the ophthalmologist immediately if new floaters develop, particularly if they are over 45 years old.
Spots are usually caused by little flecks of protein or other matter trapped during the formation of your eye before birth.
After a detailed examination of both of my eyes, Dr Gregg said the condition was not something to worry about and the floaters would go away on their own.
Floaters may also result from deterioration of the vitreous fluid due to ageing and certain eye diseases or injuries. Most spots aren't harmful and rarely limit vision; they may be indications of more serious problems and should be brought to the attention of your optometrist. By looking into your eyes with special instruments, he will determine if what you are seeing is harmless or symptomatic of more serious problems that may require treatment.
What can be done about floaters?
Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, which may be quite annoying especially if you are trying to read. You can try moving your eyes, looking up then down, to move the floaters out of the way. While some floaters may remain in your vision, many of them will fade over time and become less bothersome. Even if you have had some floaters for years, have an eye examination immediately if you notice new ones.
What causes flashing lights?
You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen 'stars'. When the vitreous shrinks, it tugs on the retina, creating a sensation of flashing lights. The flashes of light can appear off or on for several months. As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes. If you notice the sudden appearance of light flashes, visit your opthalmologist immediately to see if the retina has been torn. While not all floaters or flashes are serious, you should always have a medical eye examination to make sure there has been no damage to your retina.
With medical insurance the consultation costs $600, and without insurance it is $3,000.
(Additional source:www.eyenet.org)