Are eye floaters dangerous?

Longstanding, unchanging floaters are usually harmless. A sudden increase in floaters, new flashing lights, or a shadow in your vision needs an urgent dilated examination because those symptoms can indicate a retinal tear or detachment.

How quickly should I be seen for new floaters and flashes?

Within 24 to 48 hours ideally, and the same day if there is a shadow or curtain across your vision or a loss of side vision.

Will my floaters ever go away?

They rarely disappear entirely, but the brain adapts and most people notice them far less after a few months. Where floaters remain genuinely disabling, further options can be discussed after the retina has been confirmed healthy.

Why do floaters appear after cataract surgery?

Surgery does not cause floaters, but it makes existing ones much more obvious once the view through the eye is clear. Even so, new floaters after surgery should be checked, because the risk of a retinal tear is slightly higher.

What happens if a retinal tear is found?

A tear is usually treated with laser retinopexy, an outpatient procedure that seals around the tear and greatly reduces the risk of a detachment. It is arranged urgently.

Dr Tahmina Pearsall

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

020 3137 3237

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Urgent assessment

Eye Floaters and Flashes Assessment in the UK

A sudden shower of floaters, flashing lights in the corner of your vision, or a curtain moving across your sight should always be checked. Most turn out to be a posterior vitreous detachment — a normal ageing change — but a small proportion are a retinal tear, which is straightforward to treat early and serious if it is missed.

Book an appointment 020 3137 3237

Dilated examination of the whole retina, not a quick look
Rules out retinal tear, detachment and vitreous haemorrhage
Clear explanation of what your floaters are and whether they will settle
Urgent appointments prioritised for new symptoms

Symptoms that need assessment quickly

A sudden increase in floaters, or a shower of new black specks
Flashing lights, especially in the periphery or in the dark
A dark curtain or shadow moving across your vision
Sudden blurring after a bang to the head or eye
Floaters after recent cataract or lens surgery
Loss of any part of your field of vision

What the assessment involves

The examination is thorough and painless. Drops are used to widen the pupil so the whole retina, right to the edges, can be examined.

Vision, pressure and front-of-the-eye examination
Dilating drops, which take about 20 minutes to work
Indirect examination of the peripheral retina
Retinal imaging or scanning where it adds information
Laser treatment arranged promptly if a tear is found
Same-day surgical referral if the retina has detached

After your appointment

Dilating drops blur your vision for a few hours, so bring sunglasses and do not plan to drive yourself home.

Blurred near vision and light sensitivity for three to six hours
Normal activity otherwise the same day
Most floaters from a vitreous detachment become less noticeable over weeks to months
A follow-up check is arranged where the risk of a tear is higher

When to seek urgent care

• A curtain or shadow in your vision — seek care the same day
• Sudden loss of vision in one eye
• New floaters with pain or marked redness

Frequently asked questions

Book an assessment

Appointments with Ms Tahmina Pearsall are available across the UK, with urgent slots prioritised for sudden symptoms.

The £250 consultation fee is charged separately from any treatment or surgery.

Request an appointment secretary@tahminapearsall.com Insurance and self-pay

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