I'm suddenly experiencing a large floater and flashing.

[jeyges]

Several days ago, a large, dark floater suddenly appeared across the center of my field of vision. I also began experiencing a sort of "fluttering" along the outer periphery of the field of vision in that eye. It's gradually increased to a point at which I would describe it as flashes of light, but again, only along the periphery. It occurs mostly when I'm in a prone position or shortly after I get up, but it does occur intermittently when I'm standing or sitting upright.

I saw an ophthalmologist yesterday, who told me he couldn't see any evidence of a retinal tear or detachment, but he did find a cataract in that eye. I had been told by one of his colleagues two years ago, at the time of my last exam, that there was some clouding of the lenses, but it wasn't serious enough at that point to warrant surgery. Apparently, in one eye, it's advanced to a point at which he now thinks it should be addressed surgically. This doctor was a specialist in vitreo-retinal surgery; I have an appointment next month with the other doctor to discuss options pertaining to the cataract.

I asked him why, if it isn't a retinal tear or detachment, I'm experiencing the flashing. He told me that sometimes, as floaters break away, they remain attached at one end and can tug on the edge of the retina. I'm sure the doctor knows his business, but I've never heard of anything like this. It sounds to me like a made-up answer, and he *was* a little quick with me.

Also, this clinic specializes in treatment of diabetic eye diseases. I'm not a diabetic (I fell into them by happenstance a number of years ago, and I stayed with them because they accept my insurance and it tends to be easy to get an appointment), and I'm wondering if they're the people I should be consulting about this.

The problem is that the flashing is getting worse, and both that and the floater are driving me crazy. I've had floaters for many years, but they've been translucent, and usually smaller - never anything like this. This looks as though it's sitting right over the pupil (I know that isn't where it is; I understand it's actually at the back of the vitreous, over or around the retina).

I'm wondering if I should seek a second opinion about the flashing, and as far as the floater is concerned - I understand that some ophthalmologists are now using lasers to break them up. I'm wondering what the consensus (if there is one) is about the procedure. It's interfering with my reading and general functioning, and just driving me mad in general.

Thank you.

[JohnHaganMD]

The explanation you  were given about the continued flashing is absolutely correct. The vitreous does remain attached in some areas and 'jerks" on the retina especially when the eye moves or in dim or dark environments this produces the flash. The floater you are describing sounds like a "Weiss Ring"  doe internet search and read about and also pull up image. It a 'super floater" much larger than the typical floater. The consensus is laser's don't work well for treating floaters although they are very lucrative for the few doctors that are still trying "to break them up". Yes I would get a second opinion if nothing else for your piece of mind you can also ask if your cataract is bad enough for surgery.