It is not possible to prevent floaters occurring because they are part of the natural ageing process. However, it is important that you are aware of the signs of retinal detachment so that you can seek an early diagnosis and treatment to protect your sight.
See your optometrist (optician) if:
- you suddenly start to see floaters and white flashes having never seen them before
- you notice a sudden increase in the number of floaters or flashes
- you notice a grey area that appears in your outer vision and moves up, down or across your eye
- you have had floaters or flashes for a while but they are now starting to look different
- you are finding it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks, such as reading and driving
- you have had floaters or flashes in one eye for some time and they are now starting to affect your other eye
