What does it mean if you see a flash of black?

Sometimes the cause is benign — bits of cell debris drifting about in the fluid that fills your eyes — and sometimes it’s an urgent and serious condition. If you experience a sudden increase in floaters and/or flashes, you should seek medical care.

Why do I see something spinning in the corner of my eye?

Vitreous humor is a gel-like substance that fills the majority of your eyeball. This gel allows light to enter the eye via the lens, and it is connected to the retina. If vitreous gel bumps or pulls on the retina, you may see flashes of light in the corner of your eye.

How often should you have a dilated eye exam?

The National Eye Institute recommends a dilated eye exam once every one to two years if you’re 60 or older. Your ethnic background. People of certain ethnic backgrounds are at increased risk of some eye diseases.

What causes gray spots in vision?

They may look to you like black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs that drift about when you move your eyes and appear to dart away when you try to look at them directly. Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes becomes more liquid.

When should I be concerned about dilated pupils?

If you or someone else notices you have dilated pupils or one of your pupils looks larger than the other after head trauma, seek medical attention immediately. The same is true if you experience sudden dizziness, headache, confusion, balance problems or other symptoms of a possible stroke.

What happens if your eyes are dilated too long?

Eye dilation can sometimes result in a temporary condition called cycloplegia. Cycloplegia is paralysis of the eye muscle that allows a person to focus. For most people, cycloplegia occurs only while the eye dilation drops are taking effect. In rare cases, eye dilation may cause cycloplegia to last for several days.

Are eye flashes an emergency?

In most cases, the occasional eye floater or flash in your vision isn’t something you need to worry about. This often happens as you age and it’s very normal. However, if you start to notice a lot more floaters than you’ve experienced in the past or many flashes, you should call your doctor.

Can an eye test detect a detached retina?

How will my eye doctor check for retinal detachment? If you see any warning signs of a retinal detachment, your eye doctor can check your eyes with a dilated eye exam. Your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and then look at your retina at the back of your eye.

How can my eye doctor check for floaters?

Your eye doctor can check for floaters as part of a dilated eye exam. Your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and then check your eyes for floaters and other eye problems. This exam is usually painless. The doctor may press on your eyelids to check for retinal tears, which may be uncomfortable for some people.

Do I need to have my eyes dilated for an eye exam?

Dilation is often a normal part of an eye exam for people who wear glasses or contacts. But if you’re young and your eyes are healthy, you may not need it every time. Your doctor also may be able to use other methods to check your retina without dilating your eyes, but they may not work as well.

What can a doctor see with a dilated exam?

That allows him or her to see much more of the back of your eye, including the entire retina, the part of the retina called the macula, and the optic nerve. During a dilated exam, your doctor can spot problems like a torn or detached retina or an eye tumor.

Is eye dilation more trouble than it’s worth?

While eye dilation may seem like more trouble than it’s worth, this part of your eye exam is vital to getting a full understanding of the health of your eyes. It’s inconvenient, but after a few hours, life can resume as normal.