A: As aging causes vitreous shrinkage, the vitreous may remain partially attached to the retina. The shrinking causes the vitreous to pull on these portions of the retina, this is the most common reason you may see flashes in your vision.

Eye flashes may be a symptom of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is when the retina pulls away from the outer layer of the eye.  The retina cannot function properly while detached from the back of the eye. This detachment can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated. Warning signs of retinal detachment include:

Eye flashes may also be caused by inflammation in the eye or other neurologic conditions such as migraines. It is important to have your eyes examined if you are experiencing flashes in your vision.