Flashes & Floaters

Floaters are tiny clumps of cells or material inside the vitreous the clear, gel-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye. We see them as small specks or clouds moving in our field of vision, but they are really the shadows of those clumps of cells cast on the retina, the layer of cells lining the back of the eye that senses light and allows you to see. Floaters can appear as different shapes, such as tiny dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs.

When the vitreous gel pulls on the retina, you may see flashing lights or lightning streaks called flashes. Think of the expression "seeing stars" if you need helping imagining this. The flashes may appear for several weeks or months.