Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Floaters (mouches volantes)

Floaters are moving dots, threads or clouds in your vision. They are often harmless, but a sudden increase in spots, flashes of light or a curtain across your vision may indicate a retinal tear.

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Floaters are moving dots, threads or clouds in your vision. They are often harmless, but a sudden increase in spots, flashes of light or a curtain across your vision may indicate a retinal tear.

  • Black or grey dots, threads, rings, cobwebs or clouds floating in your vision.
  • The shapes move with your eyes and dart away when you look directly at them.
  • Check each eye separately to find out whether a new spot or shadow is in one eye.
  • After new symptoms, watch for more spots, flashes, blurrier vision and a shadow or curtain.
  • Call the same day for a sudden increase in spots, flashes of light or a dark shower of dots, even if vision still seems good.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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P
Posterior vitreous detachmentIn vitreous detachment, the gel inside the eye pulls away from the retina as part of ageing. This is often a normal process, but a retinal tear may occur as it separates. New flashes of light, a sudden increase in moving spots or a dark curtain therefore need assessment by an ophthalmologist or urgent eye service the same day. Only an eye examination with dilated pupils can reliably rule out a retinal tear.
C
Central serous chorioretinopathyA 'fluid blister in the retina' often means central serous chorioretinopathy: fluid leaks from the vascular layer beneath the central retina and lifts the macula locally. It often resolves by itself, but recurrence or prolonged fluid can cause permanent loss of contrast and detail; many sudden flashes, floaters or a curtain over vision are not a reason to wait and see.
R
Reduced vision in adultsReduced vision in adults can result from a focusing error, cataract or eye disease, but sometimes from a retinal problem or stroke. Gradually blurred vision needs investigation; sudden sight loss, flashes with a curtain or sight loss with neurological deficits is urgent.