Flashes and floaters

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Floaters are a relatively common occurrence, whereby you see what appears to be a small object (sometimes like a "fly" or a "cobweb") in your vision. They tend to move away when you try to look directly at them. They are easier to visualise when you look at a white background such as a wall, ceiling or a page of book.

Floaters occur naturally in the eye with age. Sometimes you may experience a large number of floaters all at once, and this sudden onset of floaters may be accompanied by a period of flashing lights or sparks in your vision.

If you experience a sudden onset of floaters and/or flashing lights you should be checked by us as soon as possible as these can be signs of a retinal tear or detachment.