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Floaters & Flashes - Symptoms

Floaters & Flashes - Causes and Risk Factors

What causes floaters and flashes?

When we are young, the clear gel-like vitreous in the eye is attached to the retina. As we age, at some point in our lives, the vitreous will usually degenerate and pull away from the retina, which is called a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Sometimes, this may be triggered by eye injuries or excessive eye rubbing. PVD can cause symptoms of floaters and flashes for a few weeks, but in most cases does not cause any major problems. However, in a small proportion of patients the degenerated vitreous can pull and tear which can cause bleeding into the eye (vitreous hemorrhage), or a retinal detachment. Such conditions are serious and can result in visual loss.

Floaters & Flashes - Diagnosis

Floaters & Flashes - Preparing for surgery

Floaters & Flashes - Post-surgery care

Floaters & Flashes - Other Information

The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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