Flashes and Floaters

Prim Care. 2015 Sep;42(3):425-35. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2015.05.011.

Abstract

Flashes and floaters are common ocular complaints. Flashes refer to aberrations of light that are seen in a patient's field of gaze. The flashes can be of varying sizes, colors, frequency, and durations, depending on the cause. Floaters are another common visual phenomenon caused by particles or debris in the vitreous gel of the eye that cause shadows and thus visual changes, especially against bright backgrounds and in brightly lit environments. Flashes and floaters can occur individually or together. This article discusses common causes of flashes and floaters to help with the triaging and management of these patients.

Keywords: Migraine; Posterior vitreous detachment; Retinal detachment; Retinal tear; Vitreous hemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Comorbidity
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / complications
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Eye Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / complications
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Referral and Consultation*
  • Retinal Perforations / diagnosis
  • Retinal Perforations / physiopathology
  • Retinal Perforations / therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Care
  • Vitreous Detachment / diagnosis
  • Vitreous Detachment / physiopathology
  • Vitreous Detachment / therapy
  • Vitreous Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Vitreous Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Vitreous Hemorrhage / therapy