Eye health professionals are issuing a stark warning to the public, urging them to “seek medical help immediately” if they notice three signs that could signify a severe eye condition. These symptoms may be indicative of “retinal detachment”, a serious issue that can result in “severe loss of vision or blindness if not treated urgently.”
Specsavers UK has stressed the need for immediate medical attention if you notice a new or sudden increase in flashes or floaters in your vision. Other alarming signs include a shadow or curtain-like effect spreading across your field of view or a rapid decline in sharp, central vision.
While the presence of flashes and floaters alone is not always a cause for concern, many people see floaters, which resemble small black dots, as a normal part of ageing – but a “sudden increase” in either should prompt a visit to an optician.
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What do floaters and flashes look like?
Floaters can look like “dots, circles, clouds, cobwebs, lines or other shapes.” They can appear grey, black or transparent and are often more noticeable against a plain background, such as a blue sky or blank wall.
Flashes, also known as photopsia, are described as “brief bursts or arcs of light”, which is similar to a flickering light bulb. They occur when the gel inside the eye rubs against the retina and are sometimes seen alongside floaters.
What causes flashes and floaters and can I prevent them?
Occasionally, these visual phenomena occur without any apparent cause, though they’re typically the result of a benign condition known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the gel-like substance within the eye undergoes changes, the NHS explains.
The NHS adds: “Sometimes it can be caused by retinal detachment. This is serious and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated.”
Eye floaters are inevitable as we get older – and they cannot be prevented. With this in mind, Specsavers and the NHS urge people that, as soon as they appear or if you notice an increase, you should see your optometrist to check they are not a symptom of a more serious condition.
