Why Am I Seeing Spots? Causes, Warning Signs, and Next Steps in Phoenix, Arizona
“Why am I seeing spots all of a sudden, especially when I look at the Phoenix, Arizona, sky or a white wall?” is a common question our doctors at Barnet Dulaney Perkins get asked. In many cases, these spots are eye floaters, which are common and usually harmless. But new spots can also be a warning sign of a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which needs urgent care.
New spots, flashes of light, or a shadow like a curtain mean you should get checked right away. Schedule an urgent appointment at one of our 24+ locations by calling (602) 955-1000.
Most spots are floaters that come from normal changes in the gel inside your eye.
Some patterns, such as zigzags or shimmering lights, can be part of migraine aura.
A sudden shower of new floaters, flashes, or a “curtain” can be an emergency.
Eye Spots: What’s Normal and What’s Not
Seeing spots can mean different things. Some people see tiny specks that drift. Others see flashing lights, sparkles, or blind spots. The key is how the symptoms start, how they act, and what else you notice.
Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Metro Phoenix, and Northern & Southern Arizona can help sort this out with a dilated eye exam and retinal testing when needed.
Why Am I Seeing Spots: Common Causes
Floaters are small shapes that move across your vision. They can look like dots, threads, squiggles, or cobwebs. They often move when your eyes move, and they can dart away when you try to stare at them.
Why Floaters Happen
Most floaters come from age-related changes in the vitreous, the clear gel inside your eye. As the gel changes, small clumps can form and cast shadows on the retina, and you see those shadows as spots.
Many floaters become less annoying over time as your brain learns to ignore them. If floaters are mild, you may not need treatment. If they suddenly increase, your eye doctor should check for a retinal tear.
A Common “in-between” Cause: Vitreous Detachment
A posterior vitreous detachment (often called a vitreous detachment) happens when the gel inside your eye pulls away from the retina. It can cause a sudden increase in floaters and flashes of light in your side vision.
A vitreous detachment is common with age, but your eye doctor still needs to make sure it did not cause a tear in the retina.
When Spots Are An Emergency
Sometimes “spots” are not just floaters. They are warning signs.
Go in right away if you notice:
a sudden shower of new floaters
flashes of light, especially in one eye
a dark shadow or “curtain” over part of your vision
sudden loss of side vision
a big drop in vision that does not clear
These symptoms can happen with a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Retinal detachment can threaten vision, and treatment is time-sensitive.
Seeing Spots that Look like Lights or Patterns: Migraine Aura
Some people see:
zig-zag lines
shimmering lights
colored spots
a blind spot that grows and then fades
This can be a migraine aura. Aura can happen with a headache or without one. Auras often pass within an hour, but they can still feel scary, especially the first time.
One quick self-check: cover one eye, then the other. Migraine aura often affects both eyes similarly, whereas many retinal problems affect only one eye. If you are not sure, get checked.
Other Causes your Eye Doctor may Look for
Not every “spot” is a floater or aura. Your eye doctor may also consider:
The doctors at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center can evaluate and treat new floaters, flashes, and other vision changes with the right testing and refer you for retina treatment.
FAQ: Why Am I Seeing Spots?
Why am I Seeing Spots when I look at bright light?
Bright backgrounds make floaters easier to see. Floaters cast small shadows on the retina, so they appear more clearly against a bright sky or a white wall.
Are eye floaters dangerous?
Most floaters are not dangerous. But a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes or a curtain-like effect in your vision, requires urgent evaluation.
What is the difference between floaters and flashes?
Floaters look like drifting spots or threads. Flashes look like quick sparks or lightning streaks, often in side vision. Both can occur with vitreous detachment and can signal a retinal tear.
Can dry eye cause spots?
Dry eye can cause blur that comes and goes, but it usually does not cause true “floaters” inside the eye. If you see distinct moving spots, your eye doctor should check your retina.
Can migraine aura cause spots without a headache?
Yes. Some people get a visual aura without head pain. Visual symptoms can include zig-zags, shimmering lights, or a fading blind spot.
When should I worry about seeing spots?
Worry when spots are new and sudden, when you also see flashes, or when a shadow or curtain covers part of your vision. Those signs may indicate retinal detachment.
Will floaters go away on their own?
Some floaters become less noticeable over time. Your brain often adapts. If floaters keep changing or getting worse, get checked.
What will an eye doctor do to diagnose the cause?
Your eye doctor will ask about symptoms and do a dilated eye exam to check the retina. Imaging may help confirm the cause and guide next steps.
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