l have lots of white floaters that are really bad when l move my eyes from side to side, and lately (last two weeks) at night l see a weird flash at what looks like the side of my left eye. I am 50+ and l think maybe l should see a doctor???

Yes see a Doctor. The floaters are not bad by themselves l have had many of them for years. But with the flash you could have a detached retina. Or something like that.

How long have u had the floaters? And exactly what do u consider a lot. There is a process in the eye that happens at about ur age. There is also a severe problem that can happen at any time in the eye, both have similar symptoms so u need to go to the ophthalmologist either way. An Ophthalmologist can best diagnosis & if needed treat.

The first is called Posterior Vitreous Seperation. Think of ur eye as a ballon filled with a thick gel like substance called the vitreous. The inside of our eye also has a lining all the way around, the retina. As our eye ages the retina begins to seperate from the whites of our eyes. Sometimes it pulls a little clump, that is the floaters that u see. And occasionally, more propminent at night or dim light, we will see what seems like lightning in the periphery of our vision, part of the process.

Now a retinal detachment, hole or tear is a more urgent matter, ur vision is in jeopardy. If u see any or all of these u need immediate attention.
1. hundreds of little floater, like if some sprinkled pepper in front of you
2. A larger sized blotch the color of blood any where in ur vision
3. A portion of ur vision seems missing or blocked, like a curtain. This can come from any direction or angle. If it is coming from the bottom of u vision up then that needs even faster attention.

For these symptoms ur ophthalmologist will take u right away even if u just walk in.