Do you ever get those little floaters in your field of vision? When that could be something serious...

Most people experience what are called floaters, a small speck or streak drifting across their field of vision. 

While floaters are usually harmless and common as we get older, there are some visual disturbances that could indicate a more serious problem. In about 15% of cases, the sudden appearance of floaters or a cobweb-like image could actually be a retinal tear. People who are nearsighted, diabetic or have had cataract surgery are at increased risk of retinal tear, which is an emergency and needs immediate treatment.

If you ever notice a sudden shower of floaters or flashes of light that look like shooting stars, you need to contact an ophthalmologist right away to prevent potential permanent vision damage or loss.