What to Do If You See Floaters and Flashes

Seeing spots or light streaks in your vision? Don’t ignore it.
Floaters and flashes are common vision symptoms, but in some cases, they can be a warning sign of something serious—like a retinal tear or detachment.

Floaters look like gray or black specks, strings, or cobwebs that drift across your vision. They are small clumps of gel inside the vitreous—the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eye.

Most floaters are harmless and occur naturally as you age, especially after age 50. However, a sudden increase in floaters may signal a more serious problem.

Flashes are brief streaks or flickers of light, often seen in your peripheral vision. These occur when the vitreous tugs on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.

Contact an eye doctor right away if you notice:

• A sudden increase in floaters
• New flashes of light
• A shadow or curtain over part of your vision
• Blurred or distorted vision
   

These may be signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.

1. Call a retina specialist immediately. Same-day evaluation is often needed.
2. Avoid strenuous activity or anything that increases eye pressure. 
3. Don’t wait for it to go away—early intervention can save your sight.
    

Macular degeneration, particularly the “wet” form, is a leading cause of central vision loss in older adults. Fortunately, treatment options are advancing rapidly—offering more hope and better vision outcomes than ever before.

Traditionally, wet AMD required monthly eye injections. Now, longer-acting drugs like:

• Vabysmo® (faricimab)
• Susvimo® (ranibizumab implant)

…can reduce the need for frequent injections—sometimes spacing treatments every 3–6 months while maintaining results.

New research is exploring the use of anti-VEGF medications combined with anti-inflammatory or anti-complement agents, aiming to halt both wet and dry AMD progression more effectively.

Gene therapy is being tested as a “one-and-done” approach to reduce or eliminate the need for frequent injections. Trials like RGX-314 and ADVM-022 are showing promise.

The FDA recently approved the first treatments for geographic atrophy, a form of advanced dry AMD:

• Syfovre™ (pegcetacoplan)
• Izervay™ (avacincaptad pegol)

These injections may slow progression and preserve vision longer.

If you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration—or are at risk—ask your retina specialist about the latest options. New therapies mean better outcomes, fewer office visits, and greater independence.

Diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar—it can silently damage your eyes, too. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a serious condition called diabetic retinopathy and other vision-threatening complications.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina. When blood sugar stays high, these vessels can leak, swell, or close off—leading to vision loss.

There are two main types:

• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) – early stage, may have no symptoms.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) – advanced stage, with abnormal blood vessel growth and higher risk of blindness.
   

• Diabetic macular edema (DME) – fluid buildup in the macula, affecting sharp vision.
• Cataracts – develop earlier and faster in people with diabetes.
• Glaucoma – risk is nearly doubled in diabetic patients.
   

• Blurred vision
• Sudden vision changes
• Dark spots or floaters
• Trouble reading or seeing at night
   

1. Get a dilated eye exam every year, even if your vision seems fine.
2. Control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol—the “ABCs” of diabetes care.
3. Seek early treatment. Retinal injections, laser therapy, and surgery can preserve your sight if caught early.
    

Remember: Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in adults under 65—but it's often preventable with early care.

When most people think of sun protection, they reach for sunscreen—but your eyes need protection too. Just like your skin, your eyes can suffer damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which may lead to long-term vision problems.

Whether you're on the beach, at a park, or even walking to work, UV exposure adds up—and your retina is particularly vulnerable.

The sun emits three types of ultraviolet radiation:

• UVA – penetrates deep into the eye and may contribute to aging and long-term retinal damage.
• UVB – affects the cornea and lens, and is linked to cataracts and surface burns (like photokeratitis).
• UVC – mostly blocked by the atmosphere, but dangerous in artificial exposure (e.g. welding).
   

Without proper protection, cumulative UV damage can lead to:

• Macular degeneration (age-related central vision loss)
• Cataracts (clouding of the lens) 
• Pinguecula and pterygium (growths on the eye surface)
• Photokeratitis (sunburn of the cornea—yes, your eyes can get sunburned!)
   

Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. This label matters more than the darkness of the lens.

Tip: Wraparound or oversized styles offer added protection from side exposure.
 

Hats reduce the amount of UV rays that reach your eyes by up to 50%, especially when the sun is high.

While not essential for UV protection, polarized sunglasses help reduce glare from water, sand, and roads—great for beachgoers and drivers.

UV rays can penetrate clouds. Even on overcast days, your eyes are still at risk.

If you’re spending long periods outdoors, try to seek shade or take breaks indoors during midday hours when UV radiation is strongest.

Children receive 3 times more annual UV exposure than adults. Make sure they wear sunglasses and hats as well.

Just like you brush your teeth to prevent cavities, daily eye protection is a small habit with big benefits. Reducing UV exposure helps prevent:

• Early cataract formation
• Progressive macular damage
• Skin cancers around the eyelids
   

If you have macular degeneration, retinal disease, or diabetic retinopathy, protecting your eyes from UV exposure becomes even more important. Discuss the best lens options with your retina specialist.