Floaters look like small specks, dots, circles, lines, or cobwebs in your field of vision. While they seem to be in front of your eye, they are floating inside. Floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous that fills your eye. What you see are the shadows these clumps cast on your retina. With time they usually fade, but can be removed with surgery if they're severe. However, surgery has risks and is seldom necessary or recommended.
Flashes usually look like flashing lights or lightning streaks in your field of vision. This happens when your vitreous rubs or pulls on your retina. As people age, it is common to see flashes occasionally. Any new floaters or flashes should be examined by your ophthalmologist.
