• Floaters - Small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision are called floaters. You may see them more clearly when looking at a plain background, such as a blank wall.
• Flashes -When the vitreous gel inside your eye rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what look like flashing lights or lightning streaks. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars".

Etiology

• Floatres - Posterior vitreous detachments or PVDs are common causes of vitreous floaters. Far less commonly, these symptoms can be associated with retinal tears or detachments that may be linked to PVDs.
• Flashes  - Ordinarily, light entering your eye stimulates the retina. This produces an electrical impulse, which the optic nerve transmits to the brain. The brain then interprets this impulse as light or some type of image. When the retina is tugged, torn or detached from the back of the eye, a flash or flicker of light commonly is noticed. Depending on the extent of the tear or detachment, these flashes of light might be short-lived or continue indefinitely until the retina is repaired.
• Vitreous detachments with accompanying vitreous floaters also may occur in circumstances such as:
• Inflammation in the eye's interior-
• Nearsightedness
• Cataract surgery
• YAG laser eye surgery
• Diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
• CMV retinitis

Ophthalmic Features

• You should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if:
• One new, large floater or "showers" of floaters appear suddenly
• You see sudden flashes of light
• You notice other symptoms, such as the loss of side vision.
• Floaters and flashes of light become more common as we grow older. While not all floaters and flashes are serious, you should always have a medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist to make sure there has been no damage to your retina

Treatment

• Because there's a risk of a torn retina, call your ophthalmologist if a new floater appears suddenly. Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, which may be quite annoying, especially when reading.
• While some floaters may remain in your vision, many of them will fade over time and become less bothersome. Even if you have had some floaters for years, you should have an eye examination immediately if you notice new ones.
• There is no specific treatment for separation of the vitreous gel from the retina. Medications can be used to help alleviate symptoms from migraine. Laser therapy or surgery may be required for retinal tears.
• The treatment for floaters and flashes depends on the underlying condition. While not all floaters and flashes are serious, you should always have a medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist to make sure there has been no damage to your retina.