The eye is filled with a gel called vitreous that supports its shape. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. It records visual images and sends them to your brain so you can see. Behind the retina is a thin layer of blood vessels that bring oxygen to the retina.
With age, the vitreous contracts, separating from the retina. When the vitreous separates it causes floaters to appear. Floaters are small dots or strings that seem to be moving across your field of vision. They are harmless.
Sometimes, when the vitreous pulls away from the retina, it can cause a tear in the retina. If this happens, you will suddenly see many floaters. They may occur with flashes of light. A retinal tear is painless but it's a serious condition. If not treated, most retinal tears will progress to retinal detachment within days or weeks. Retinal detachment is also painless. But it causes vision loss that can be permanent. This condition needs treatment right away.
Eye surgery is needed to treat a retinal tear and prevent it from becoming a retinal detachment. The methods commonly used are laser surgery or freezing (cryotherapy). They are outpatient procedures. That means you go home the same day.