Severe flashes of light often occur. Sometimes there are no floaters, only flashes. Sometimes a retinal tear gives no warning at all. The vitreous fluid inside the eye can move and sometimes cause the vitreous membrane to pull on the retina. This tension on the retina causes a flashing sensation, although in fact there is not such light inside the eye.
Flashes can appear once or from time to time over several weeks.
The flashes can be associated with a great number of new floaters and even with partial loss of the visual field. These symptoms may be associated with a retinal detachment. If they are followed by a headache, they are called cephalic migraines. Without an exam done by your eye care specialist, you cannot know if your floaters are serious or if they represent any danger to your eye. It is not always possible for the patient to assess the significance.