Flashes and floaters in the setting of posterior vitreous detachments can be associated with retinal tears. Patients who present with new flashes or floaters should be seen by an ophthalmologist for a dilated fundus examination to make sure that a retinal tear or retinal detachment has not occurred. In 10% to 15% of patients, an acute posterior vitreous detachment leads to a retinal tear. This slide shows an illustration of an eye with a superior retinal detachment. Symptomatic retina tears usually will need to be treated with laser photocoagulation or cryosurgery to prevent a retinal detachment. If no retinal tear or retinal detachment is noted on an examination following development of flashes and floaters, re-examination may be indicated if many new floaters are noted or a shadow or progressive curtain of loss of side vision is noted, suggestive of retinal detachment.