1. Floaters are particles seen moving before the eye.
2. Single or multiple floaters may be seen appearing as specks, cloud or `bugs'.
3. Floaters may be physiological (seen in normal eyes) especially seen against blank wall or clear sky.
4. These are actually clumps of gel or cell debris inside the vitreous, which is a jelly like fluid filling most of the inside of the eye.
5. Causes may be old age, high myopia (short sightedness) and after cataract surgery.
6. Sudden onset of floaters may be hazardous and may indicate serious eye disease, for example a tear in the retina, retinal detachment, bleeding inside the eye. Hence NEVER ignore sudden onset floaters as detailed RETINA EXAMINATION by "Indirect Ophthalmoscopy" is the must to rule out the above conditions.
7. `Flashes' are illusions of flashing lights seen before the eye.
8. Majority of the times it indicates serious eye illness e.g.- traction (pulling) on the retina.
9. Like sudden onset floaters, sudden onset flashes also need an immediate detailed retina check up by a retina specialist after dilatation of the pupils.