hedgegrail pharmacy logo
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By clicking 'I Understand and Accept', you consent to our use of cookies.
I understand and accept
No, I don't want to use cookies
My Account
Control Panel
An example toast message
Do Something
Login
en
en
hedgegrail pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Our Store
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Do Something
Login
en
en
hedgegrail pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Our Store
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Floaters and flashes in the eyes

Dots and lines (floaters) or flashes of light in your vision are common. They're not usually serious.

Check if you have floaters and flashes

Floaters in your vision can look like:

  • small dark dots
  • squiggly lines
  • rings
  • cobwebs

Flashes look like sudden flashes of light.

They're usually harmless and not a sign of anything serious, especially if:

  • you've had them for a long time
  • they're not getting worse
  • your vision is not affected

Flashes may eventually stop, and floaters often become less noticeable as you get used to them.

Ask for an urgent opticians appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you have floaters or flashes in your vision for the first time
  • you suddenly get floaters or flashes in your vision
  • the number of floaters or flashes suddenly increases
  • you have a dark "curtain" or shadow moving across your vision
  • you also have blurred vision
  • you also have eye pain
  • floaters start after eye surgery or an eye injury

These could be signs of a serious problem with the back of your eye, which could permanently affect your vision if it's not treated quickly.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

What happens at your appointment

If you have problems with floaters or flashes in your vision your eyes will be checked at an opticians to see if you need to be seen by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) for more tests or treatment.

You'll usually only need treatment if you have a problem that could affect your vision.

Causes of floaters and flashes

Lots of people, particularly older people, get floaters and flashes.

They're usually caused by a harmless process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the gel inside your eyes changes.

Sometimes they can be caused by retinal detachment.

This is serious and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated.

Floaters and flashes can also happen for no obvious reason.

Last Reviewed
26 June 2023
NHS websiteNHS website
hedgegrail pharmacy logo
Hedgegrail Pharmacy in Stoke Poges offers a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as health and beauty products
Company Registration: 2041755
Premises GPhC: 1099892
Superintendent: Baljit Singh Bahra
Do Something
Do Something
Menu
Pharmacy First
All Pharmacy First Services
Earache
Impetigo
Insect Bite
Shingles
Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Pharmacy Services
Order Prescriptions
Our Store
Health Advice
Opening Hours
Store Hours Unavailable
No store selected for opening hours
Loading Open Hours...
Hedgegrail Pharmacy © 2024
Privacy Policy