The NHS has guidance on its website for anyone concerned about changes to their vision.
The NHS says “dots and lines (floaters) or flashes of light in your vision are common”. And thankfully, it is not usually serious. Flashes and floaters can be caused by a range of things, but they’re often a normal change that happens as you get older.
The health service explains: “Lots of people, particularly older people, get floaters and flashes. They’re usually caused by a harmless process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the gel inside your eyes changes.
“Sometimes they can be caused by retinal detachment. This is serious and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated. Floaters and flashes can also happen for no obvious reason.”
What are the symptoms of floaters and flashes?
Floaters in your vision can look like:
- rings
- cobwebs
- small dark dots
- squiggly lines
Flashes look like sudden flashes of light. They’re usually harmless and not a sign of anything serious, especially if:
- they’re not getting worse
- your vision is not affected
- you’ve had them for a long time
Flashes may eventually stop. Floaters often become less noticeable as you get used to them.
Ask for an urgent optician appointment or get help from NHS 111
You may need to contact 111 or your opticians if:
- you also have blurred vision
- you have floaters or flashes in your vision for the first time
- floaters start after eye surgery or an eye injury
- the number of floaters or flashes suddenly increases
- you also have eye pain
- you have a dark “curtain” or shadow moving across your vision
- you suddenly get floaters or flashes in your vision
The NHS explains: These could be signs of a serious problem with the back of your eye, which could permanently affect your vision if it’s not treated quickly.”
What will happen if I contact my optician?
If you notice floaters or flashes in your vision, an optician can examine your eyes and determine whether you need to be referred to an ophthalmologist for further testing or treatment. Most people only need treatment if there’s an underlying problem that could affect their eyesight.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
