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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Floaters and Flashes?

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Floaters and flashes are both entoptic phenomena, meaning they are visual effects whose source is within the eye itself. However, they have different appearances and causes.

Floaters:

  • Appearance: Floaters are shadowy spots, clumps, or irregular linear and fuzzball-like shapes that appear in the field of vision.
  • Cause: Floaters are caused by tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous humor, which is the fluid that fills the eyeball. They are visible as shadows cast on the retina.

Flashes:

  • Appearance: Flashes are bright, often arc-shaped or jagged, and can be described as flickering or twinkling lights in the peripheral vision.
  • Cause: Flashes occur when the vitreous humor rubs or pulls on the retina.

Both floaters and flashes are generally harmless and can be associated with aging or other benign conditions. However, they can also be symptoms of a more serious eye condition, such as a torn or detached retina. If you experience sudden changes in your vision, a significant increase in floaters, or flashes accompanied by other symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist.

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  • What is the Difference Between Floaters and Flashes?
  • Comparative Table: Floaters vs Flashes

    • Comparative Table: Floaters vs Flashes

    Feature Floaters Flashes
    Description Small dark shapes such as spots, threads, squiggly lines, or cobwebs that float across the vision. Flashing lights or lightning streaks in the field of vision.
    Appearance Resemble 'flies', 'cobwebs', or 'worms' that are more pronounced against light backgrounds. Momentary arc of white light, similar to a bolt of lightning or a camera flash.
    Causes Posterior vitreous detachment, eye infections, eye injuries, uveitis, bleeding in the eyes. Posterior vitreous detachment, mechanical stimulation of the retina by vitreoretinal traction.
    Onset Gradual, often associated with aging. Acute onset, rapid and short-lived.
    Duration Persistent, but can move out of the field of vision. Noticeable in dim lighting, triggered by eye movement, and usually in the temporal visual field.
    Treatment Clinical eye examinations, respective eye surgeries. Clinical eye examinations, ultrasound, surgery to reattach the retina, cryotherapy and lasers, eye surgery, or eye injections.

    Both floaters and flashes can be diagnosed through clinical eye examinations and, if necessary, treated through respective eye surgeries.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.