Your flashes are likely to go away on their own within a few days or weeks. This may be true even if you have a retinal tear or detachment! It is therefore important to be examined by an ophthalmologist even if your flashes go away on their own.

Floaters tend to last longer than flashes. In most cases, they diminish gradually over weeks or months. Often they do not go away completely. Most people learn to ignore them. Floaters, like flashes, may get better on their own even if a retinal tear or detachment is present. Again, you should be examined even if the floaters seem to be going away.

If you have a retinal tear or detachment, your doctor will talk to you about the treatment (see section on Retinal Tears and Detachment).