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By Mayo Clinic staffMost people have a few floaters bouncing around inside their eyes. But you should contact an eye specialist promptly if you notice a flood of new floaters, especially if they're accompanied by lights flashing in your peripheral vision. These painless symptoms could be caused by a retinal tear, with or without a retinal detachment — a sight-threatening condition that requires immediate attention. Even waiting a few days can result in permanent loss of sight.