Flashes & Floaters Flashes and floaters can be alarming.
Usually, however, an eye examination will confirm that they are
harmless and do not require any treatment. Symptoms of flashes &
vitreous floaters: - Seeing small, floating spots - Seeing
bright flashes of light Causes of flashes and floaters: Aging of
the eye: Most flashes and floaters are caused by age-related
changes in the gel-like material, called vitreous, that fills
the back of the eye. When you are born, the vitreous is firmly
attached to the retina. In the very young, the vitreous is
rather thick, like firm gelatin. Within the vitreous, there may
be clumps of gel or tiny strands of tissue debris left over from
the eye's early development. These clumps or strands are firmly
embedded in the thick, young vitreous and cannot move around
much. As you get older, the vitreous gradually becomes thinner
or more watery. By the time you are in your twenties or
thirties, the vitreous may be watery enough to allow some of the
clumps and strands to move arou