Wales Council of the Blind

Flashes/floaters

Definition: Flashes of light/small dark spots or strands which move. Generally harmless, but can be sign of retinal detachment

Category: eye condition

Credit: Association of Optometrists

Source: https://www.aop.org.uk/advice-and-support/for-patients/eye-conditions/flashes-and-floaters


Services mentioning Flashes/floaters

NHS Wales Funded Eye Examination - (Wales General Ophthalmic Service (WGOS)) Medical

You can have an eye examination for free if you have an eye problem that occurs suddenly. Formerly known as the Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) initiative, you are entitled to have your eyes examined free of charge by a registered optometrist if you have an eye problem that occurred suddenly (acutely) which you think requires urgent attention. Patients with an acute problem with their eye or vision can be seen for the following issues: Minor eye injury; red eye; painful eye; foreign body; sudden loss/ change in vision; new onset flashes/ floaters. You can self-refer to a local optometrist without the need to see a GP. You can also have a free examination if you: have been referred by your GP to an optometrist because of an eye problem; have sight in one eye only, i.e. you are effectively blind in your worse eye; have a hearing impairment and are profoundly deaf; suffer from retinitis pigmentosa; have Black African, Black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi family origins; are at risk of eye disease by other reasons of race or family history. Find out more at the link below.