Critical Visual Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

1. Sudden Flashes of Light and the Onset of Floaters The sudden appearance of light flashes or a dramatic increase in "floaters"—small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision—can be an alarming indicator of an underlying ocular crisis. According to Dr. Avnish Deobhakta, a retina surgeon at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, these symptoms often serve as the primary warning signs of a retinal tear. Because the retina lacks pain receptors, these visual disturbances act as a "retinal siren," alerting you to potential damage before it progresses to a full detachment. While occasional floaters are common, a sudden "shower" of them necessitates an immediate dilated eye exam to prevent permanent vision loss.