Sometimes you also see flashing lights. Your health care provider will put eyedrops in your eyes to dilate them. Then he or she will examine the inside of your eyes using a lighted tool called an ophthalmoscope. Most floaters do not require treatment. However, sometimes floaters are a symptom of a tear in the retina.
Retinal tears can be serious.
Without treatment, fluid can leak through the tear and cause the retina to detach. Retinal detachment may require surgery. If you have these symptoms, call your health care provider right away. Flashes and floaters not caused by a retinal tear or detachment are harmless. They may never go away completely, but they tend to become much less noticeable with time.