Flashes, Floaters & Sudden Blurry Vision: When It’s Time to Call the Eye Doctor
Flashes, Floaters & Sudden Blurry Vision: When It’s Time to Call the Eye Doctor
You blink. A flash of light appears. You look at the sky and see shadowy specks drifting across your vision. You rub your eyes, hoping the blur will clear—but it doesn’t.
These symptoms may seem harmless at first. But sometimes, they’re not.
At Eyes in Disguise, we see countless patients who waited just a little too long—and ended up needing urgent care for issues that could have been addressed earlier. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what flashes, floaters, and blurry vision really mean—and when it’s time to call your eye doctor immediately.
What Are Floaters?
Floaters look like tiny specks, cobwebs, or strands that drift through your field of vision. They’re caused by small clumps of protein or cells inside the vitreous (gel-like fluid in your eye) casting shadows on your retina.
Most floaters are harmless and common with age or nearsightedness.
BUT—if they appear suddenly, or increase dramatically, they could be signs of:
Retinal tear or detachment
Vitreous hemorrhage
Eye infection or inflammation
Diabetic retinopathy
Sudden floaters = schedule an exam immediately
What Do Flashes of Light Mean?
Flashes are brief flickers or lightning-like streaks in your peripheral vision.
They may happen when the vitreous tugs on the retina—often with age—but frequent or sudden flashes could indicate something far more serious, including:
Retinal tear
Retinal detachment
Migraine aura
Ocular or neurological trauma
A retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss in hours if untreated.
What If Your Vision Suddenly Gets Blurry?
Blurry vision is one of the most common yet most overlooked warning signs. If it comes on gradually, it may just be a refractive change.
But if it's sudden, one-sided, or accompanied by other symptoms, it could point to:
Retinal problems
Optic nerve inflammation (optic neuritis)
Stroke or transient ischemic attack
Inflammatory eye disease
Acute glaucoma
Sudden blurry vision = red flag. Call your optometrist immediately.
When to Seek Urgent Care
If you experience any of the following, don’t delay:
A sudden storm of floaters
Flashes of light that persist or increase
Blurry vision that appears suddenly
A dark curtain or shadow across your vision
Pain + vision change
Eye trauma followed by visual changes
These symptoms may point to retinal detachment—a true medical emergency.
What to Expect at Eyes in Disguise
When you visit us for sudden vision changes, here’s what we’ll do:
Digital retinal imaging to check for tears, detachments, or hemorrhages
OCT scans and dilated exams to evaluate optic nerve and macula health
Thorough symptom review to rule out neurological causes
Immediate treatment or referral if required
Our goal: Protect your vision with urgency and elegance—because both matter.
Why Choose Eyes in Disguise for Vision Emergencies
In a sea of urgent care centers and long ER wait times, Eyes in Disguise offers something different:
Faster care than ERs
Better technology for vision-specific emergencies
Doctor-led evaluations, not general nurses
A luxury, calming environment designed to reduce anxiety during stressful moments
See Flashes or Floaters? Don’t Wait.
If something feels off with your vision, trust your instincts—and let us do the rest.
📞 Call: Call Us on (415) 474-7345
📍 Visit: Emergency Eye Care Page
FAQ: Vision Changes & Eye Emergencies
Are floaters dangerous?
Most are harmless, especially with age. But sudden new floaters or many at once may signal a retinal tear.
What causes flashes of light in the eye?
Often age-related, but also linked to retinal detachment or migraine aura. If they persist or worsen, get checked immediately.
Can blurry vision go away on its own?
Sometimes—but sudden blurry vision should never be ignored. It could be a stroke, optic neuritis, or retinal problem.
What does a retinal detachment feel like?
Many people describe it as a dark curtain falling over part of their vision—often painless, but urgent.
For quick service : https://eyesindisguise.com/emergency-eyecare
