✨ Flashes and ⚫ floaters are common, often benign, but may indicate serious eye disease.
Causes include vitreoretinal changes, inflammation, vascular events, or trauma.
🚨 Retinal detachment is an ophthalmic emergency - careful assessment is essential.
| Condition |
🧬 Pathophysiology |
🩺 Presentation |
💊 Management |
| 🔹 Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) |
Age-related vitreous liquefaction ➝ separation from retina |
Sudden floaters (spots, cobwebs) + flashes; painless, usually unilateral |
Ophthalmology review to exclude tear; observation + follow-up |
| 🔹 Retinal Detachment 🚨 |
Retina separates from pigment epithelium, often after PVD or trauma |
Flashes, floaters, “curtain” shadow, sudden vision loss |
Emergency referral; surgical repair (vitrectomy, scleral buckle) |
| 🔹 Ocular Migraine 🌩️ |
Vasospasm of retinal/occipital vessels ➝ transient visual aura |
Zig-zags, scintillations, flashes ± migraine headache |
Rest, hydration, migraine therapy (e.g., triptans if recurrent) |
| 🔹 Vitreous Haemorrhage 🩸 |
Blood into vitreous (trauma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear) |
Dark/red floaters, blurred vision, ± flashes |
Urgent referral; bed rest, head elevation; vitrectomy if severe |
| 🔹 Retinal Tear ⚠️ |
Full-thickness retinal break (often post-PVD) ➝ risk of detachment |
Flashes, new floaters; progressive risk |
Laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy; close follow-up |
| 🔹 Uveitis 🔥 |
Inflammation of uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid) |
Floaters, blurred vision, photophobia |
Steroid drops, mydriatics, treat underlying cause (infectious/autoimmune) |
| 🔹 Trauma 🥊 |
Blunt/penetrating injury ➝ vitreous haemorrhage, retinal tears, or detachment |
Flashes, floaters, visual loss; often with pain/redness |
Immediate ophthalmology review; surgical repair if retinal injury |
Most floaters and flashes are due to benign PVD, but the presence of a “curtain” or sudden visual field loss is a red flag 🚨.
Always exclude retinal tear or detachment with urgent dilated fundoscopy or ophthalmology referral.
