Are New Floaters or Flashes in Your Vision?
Here’s What They Mean
— and When to Seek Care.
Are New Floaters or Flashes in Your Vision?
Here’s What They Mean — and When to Seek Care.
Seeing new floaters (spots, threads, cobwebs) or flashes of light can be alarming. Most floaters are harmless, but sometimes they signal a more serious retinal problem that requires prompt evaluation.
MiVision offers same-week appointments for new floaters, flashes, or sudden vision changes in our Saginaw Office.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters are small shadows that appear to drift across your vision. Patients describe them as:
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black or gray dots
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cobwebs
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strings or threads
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drifting specks
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moving shadows
They are usually caused by natural changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye.
- Learn more about vitreous changes: NIH — Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Floaters may be more noticeable in patients with:
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High myopia
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Recent cataract surgery
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Retinal issues
What Are Flashes?
Flashes look like:
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flickers
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lightning streaks
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bursts of light
Flashes occur when the vitreous pulls on the retina. Persistent or increasing flashes may indicate retinal traction.
External reference: Mayo Clinic — Eye Floaters
Common Causes of Floaters & Flashes
1️⃣ Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
The most common cause of floaters, especially after age 50.
PVD is usually harmless but can sometimes lead to retinal tears.
2️⃣ Retinal Tear or Detachment
Warning signs include:
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A sudden shower of floaters
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Flashes of light that persist
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A dark curtain or shadow in peripheral vision
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Sudden blurry or distorted vision
This is an urgent condition — evaluation is needed the same day.
- Learn more: AAO — Retinal Detachment Overview
3️⃣ Inflammation or Bleeding Inside the Eye
Can occur from:
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diabetes
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injury
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vein occlusion
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inflammation (uveitis)
Related page: Diabetic Eye Care
4️⃣ Migraine Aura
Flashes that look like shimmering zig-zags and last 10–30 minutes may be migraine-related.
5️⃣ Cataract Changes
Early cataracts can increase light scatter and create glare or halo-like symptoms.
Related page: Cataracts
When Are Floaters & Flashes an Emergency?
Call immediately or come in same day if you have:
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A sudden increase in floaters
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Repeated or persistent flashes of light
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A shadow, curtain, or dimming in part of your vision
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Sudden blurry or distorted vision
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Recent head or eye injury
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New floaters with diabetes
These can be signs of retinal tear or detachment.
MiVision provides urgent same-day retinal evaluations when needed.
How MiVision Evaluates Floaters & Flashes
Your visit may include:
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Dilated retinal exam
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OCT imaging
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Widefield retinal photos
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Retinal tear screening
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Pressure testing
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Assessment for inflammation or bleeding
We use high-resolution imaging to determine whether the retina is safe or needs treatment.
Treatment Options
Monitoring for Benign PVD
- If floaters are from a normal vitreous detachment, no treatment is needed. They typically improve over weeks to months.
Laser Treatment for Retinal Tears
- If a tear is found, laser therapy seals the retina and prevents detachment.
Surgery for Retinal Detachment
- If the retina has detached, immediate surgical referral is required.
Treatment for Underlying Causes
- Inflammation, bleeding, or diabetic changes may require medication, laser, or retinal specialist referral.
Related pages:
Schedule a Floaters & Flashes Evaluation
If you’re seeing new floaters, flashes, or a shadow in your vision, don’t wait.
MiVision offers:
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Same-week and urgent availability
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Thorough retinal imaging
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Immediate treatment when needed
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A calm, patient-centered experience
👉 Call 989-321-2655 to schedule your evaluation today.
Yes — small floaters are common and often harmless. Sudden or numerous floaters require evaluation.
They are suspended in the gel inside your eye and drift with movement.
Not always, but repeated flashes can indicate retinal traction and should be evaluated.
A curtain, shadow, or sudden dimming of part of your vision. This is an emergency.
They often fade or become less noticeable over time.
In rare cases, severe floaters can be removed with vitrectomy, but this is not typically necessary.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today!
Dr. Mihlstin and our experienced team offer advanced care, close to home. Call 989-321-2655, book online or contact us below.