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Vital Signs WINTER 2016 | VOLUME 69 F E AT U R E S T O R I E S Brain Pacemaker Page 4 Robotic Surgery Page 6 Q&A: Mindful Awareness Page 8 Community Calendar Page 12 Sudden Appearance of Floaters and Flashes Can Signal Serious Eye Issues Floaters are those specks or lines that sometimes drift into one’s field of vision. While typically harmless, floaters that occur suddenly and are accompanied by flashes of light or impaired vision can signal a potentially serious eye problem, particularly among older adults. If f loaters in combination with f lashes do appear, it is important to consult with an ophthalmologist in a timely manner to determine if the symptoms are produced by a condition called vitreous detachment or indicate a more serious condition, such as a tear Continued on page 7