Vision changes: floaters, flashes, and when to call today
Aging changes focus and night glare; some symptoms cannot wait for routine optometry.
Call promptly
- Sudden curtain or shadow over part of the visual field.
- New shower of floaters with flashes of light.
- Sudden painful red eye if you wear contact lenses or have had eye surgery.
Routine care still matters
Cataract progression, glaucoma screening intervals, and macular degeneration monitoring should follow your eye specialist’s schedule—not internet anecdotes.
Reviewed by L. Chen, OD · February 2026