Many people have experienced both floaters and flashes in the eye before, sometimes at the same time. However, it should be known that these two issues are not the same thing, and even occur for different reasons. It is helpful to find out what the main difference between floaters and flashes is, and whether there is treatment available.

Causes

Most of the time, floaters mean very little, as most people get them for no apparent reason. However, in some cases, they indicate that a retinal detachment is about to occur, which signifies a need for medical attention. If you have both floaters and flashes, you might wonder if this means anything in particular.

Flashes occur when the retina is touched or pulled by something, so if it is pulling away from the back of the eyes, you might notice a few flashes of light. These can occur a few times without warning, or may continually happen for a while until the issue is resolved. This requires reattaching the retina.

You may also see flashes after being struck on the head, or even just before a migraine. If you have been hit in the head or a headache follows the flashes, it is likely that either the blow or migraine is the cause of them. However, if you are seeing floaters and flashes with no other symptoms, you should see an eye doctor in case your retina is detaching.

Treatment for Floaters and Flashes

If your floaters and flashes are caused by migraines or a blow to the head, you will have to treat those issues in order to get rid of the bothersome eye problems. If your retina detaching is the cause of the floaters and flashes, you will need to get it reattached before they will go away.

If your doctor is unsure of the cause of your eye issues, and you are still bothered by the floaters and flashes you experience, the only cure would be to take the vitreous out of your eye and replace it with saline. However, not every doctor will perform this procedure since it is not medically necessary, which means that unless your floaters and flashes are caused by an underlying issue that can be solved, they are likely here to stay.