Flashes and Floaters in Santa Monica: When to Seek Urgent Eye Care
Written and medically reviewed by Irina Yakubin, OD — a California-licensed optometrist and owner of OptiHealth Optometry in Santa Monica, where she routinely evaluates acute flashes and floaters and coordinates retina referrals.
718 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 • (310) 917-4474 • Published: August 8, 2026 • Last updated: August 8, 2026
Quick answer: New flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a curtain or shadow, or unexplained vision loss need prompt evaluation. Call an eye doctor the same day for triage and a dilated retinal examination. If you have a curtain or shadow, major sudden vision loss, severe trauma, or cannot access urgent eye care, go to an emergency department—and call 911 when vision changes occur alongside stroke symptoms.
New flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, a curtain or shadow moving across your vision, or unexplained vision loss should be evaluated promptly. Flashes and floaters are often caused by normal, age-related changes inside the eye—but they can also be the first sign of a retinal tear or retinal detachment, conditions that can threaten your vision without timely treatment.
If you notice new flashes or floaters in Santa Monica, an urgent dilated eye examination is the fastest way to find out whether you are dealing with a harmless vitreous change or something that needs care from a retina specialist. Because the symptoms can feel identical, only a dilated retinal examination can distinguish an uncomplicated vitreous detachment from a retinal tear.
What Are Flashes and Floaters?
Floaters are the spots, strands, cobwebs, rings, or shadows that seem to drift across your vision and move as your eyes move. They are usually most noticeable against a bright, plain background, like a clear sky or a white wall.
Flashes are brief streaks, sparks, or lightning-like lights, often appearing in your peripheral (side) vision. You might notice them more in a dark room or at the edge of your sight.
Both come from the vitreous, the clear, gel-like substance that fills the back of your eye. As we age, this gel naturally becomes more liquid and begins to shrink and pull away from the retina—the light-sensing tissue lining the back of the eye. This very common process is called a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). As the gel tugs on the retina, it can stimulate flashes, and as it condenses, it can cast the shadows we experience as new floaters.
Why New Flashes and Floaters Need Prompt Evaluation
Most posterior vitreous detachments are uncomplicated and do not cause lasting problems. But in some cases, the vitreous can pull hard enough on the retina to create a retinal tear. If fluid then seeps through that tear and lifts the retina away from the back of the eye, it becomes a retinal detachment—a true emergency for your sight.
Here is the important part: your symptoms alone cannot reliably tell an uncomplicated PVD from a retinal tear. Both can cause new flashes and floaters. The only way to know the difference is a dilated eye examination, which is why the National Eye Institute specifically recommends that new symptoms be evaluated promptly by an eye doctor.
Who Is at Greater Risk for a Retinal Tear or Detachment?
Anyone can develop a retinal tear, but the risk is higher if you have:
Significant nearsightedness (moderate to high myopia)
A previous retinal tear or detachment in either eye
Recent eye trauma or a blow to the head
Previous eye surgery, particularly cataract surgery
A family history of retinal detachment
Certain existing retinal conditions
If one or more of these applies to you, it is especially important to take new flashes and floaters seriously and be seen quickly.
When to Call an Optometrist for a Same-Day Dilated Eye Exam
Call the same day so an eye-care professional can determine how urgently you should be examined. A sudden shower of floaters, new flashes, a curtain or shadow, or any reduction in your vision calls for immediate evaluation. Please reach out if you notice any of the following:
Flashes of light for the first time
One or several brand-new floaters
A sudden increase or a "shower" of many floaters at once
New symptoms after any eye trauma or surgery
A clear change from floaters that had been longstanding and stable
New symptoms even if there is no pain—retinal tears and detachments are often completely painless
Pain is not a reliable warning sign here. The absence of pain does not mean the absence of a problem, so please don't wait for discomfort before reaching out.
When Is a Retina Specialist Needed?
During your exam, your optometrist carefully evaluates the vitreous and the entire retina, including the far edges where tears most often begin. A referral to a retina specialist is arranged when a retinal tear, hole, or detachment, a vitreous hemorrhage, or another concerning retinal finding is detected or strongly suspected.
In that situation, the optometrist's role is to identify the problem quickly and coordinate urgent specialty care so you are seen without delay. Depending on the finding, retinal treatment may involve options such as an in-office laser or freezing procedure to seal a tear, or a surgical repair for a detachment. We'll explain what's found and make sure the hand-off to the specialist is smooth—you won't be left to navigate it alone.
When Should You Go to the Emergency Room—or Call 911?
Most new flashes and floaters are best handled by a prompt eye exam rather than an emergency room, since diagnosing them requires specialized eye equipment. However:
Go to an emergency department if you have a curtain or shadow over part of your vision, significant sudden vision loss, major eye trauma, or other concerning symptoms and you cannot reach prompt eye care.
Call 911 if sudden vision changes come with possible neurologic symptoms—facial drooping, weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, severe loss of balance, or a sudden, severe headache. These can be signs of a stroke and need immediate emergency care.
New floaters on their own do not usually require an ambulance—but they still deserve a prompt eye evaluation. The National Eye Institute classifies retinal detachment as a medical emergency and advises seeing an eye doctor or going to an emergency room right away when detachment symptoms occur.
What Happens During an Evaluation for Flashes and Floaters?
A focused visit for flashes and floaters is straightforward and usually includes:
A review of your symptoms and medical and eye history
A check of your visual acuity and how your pupils respond
Dilating drops to widen your pupils for a full view inside the eye
A careful examination of the vitreous, the central retina, and the peripheral retina
Additional imaging or testing when it is clinically helpful
Clear next steps—reassurance and follow-up timing, or an urgent referral if needed
Dilating drops can blur near vision and increase light sensitivity for several hours. Bring sunglasses, and arrange a driver if you know dilation affects your driving, if your vision is already reduced, or if your doctor advises you not to drive.
Where to Seek Urgent Eye Care in Santa Monica
If you develop new flashes or floaters, start by calling OptiHealth Optometry (located inside Montana Eyes) at (310) 917-4474. We can check availability and help triage how quickly you should be seen.
If our office is unavailable, contact another eye-care facility that offers same-day evaluation. For severe vision loss, major trauma, or suspected neurologic symptoms, seek emergency care right away. UCLA Health, for example, lists new flashes, floaters, and sudden vision changes among the conditions appropriate for its specialty immediate-care service. Availability is generally weekday-based and can be limited, so call ahead to confirm current hours and wait times before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eye floaters normal? Yes—occasional floaters are very common and usually harmless, especially as we get older. What matters is a change: new floaters, a sudden increase, or floaters paired with flashes should be checked.
How many new floaters are considered concerning? There's no exact number. Even one genuinely new floater is worth reporting, and a sudden "shower" of many floaters is especially important to have examined promptly.
Can a retinal tear occur without pain? Yes. Retinal tears and detachments are usually painless, which is exactly why you shouldn't wait for discomfort before seeking care.
Can an optometrist diagnose a retinal tear? Yes. A dilated exam allows your optometrist to evaluate the retina and its periphery, identify a tear or detachment, and coordinate urgent specialty treatment when needed.
Will flashes and floaters go away? Flashes from a PVD often settle over days to weeks, and many floaters become less noticeable over time as the brain adapts. But that fading should never be assumed before an exam has ruled out a tear.
Can I wait until my next routine eye exam? No. New flashes or floaters should be evaluated promptly—often the same day—rather than waiting for a scheduled visit.
Should I drive myself to an urgent eye examination? It depends. Dilating drops can blur near vision and increase light sensitivity for several hours. Bring sunglasses, and arrange a driver if you know dilation affects your driving, your vision is already reduced, or your doctor advises against it.
Do I need a retina specialist for every new floater? No. Many people with new floaters have an uncomplicated PVD and simply need monitoring. A specialist is involved only when the exam reveals a tear, detachment, or another concerning finding.
Notice New Flashes or Floaters? Let's Take a Look
If you notice new flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a curtain or shadow, or any unexplained change in your vision, contact OptiHealth Optometry in Santa Monica promptly. We can help determine the appropriate next step and coordinate specialty care when it's needed.
Call (310) 917-4474 or request an appointment online. Our office is located at 718 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403.
Sources
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an in-person eye examination. If you are experiencing sudden vision loss or possible stroke symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
