What do flashes associated with retinal detachment look like? i sometimes see very small flashes like pin pricks

LIke a flash bulb: Generally they are like a flash bulb going off and most often in the periphery of your vision. The bottom line is that you should be seen by an ophthalmologist if you have this symptom as a retinal tear is easily treated until it turns into a retinal detachment which can be blinding.

Flashes floater veil: Vitreous separation & traction on the retina causes retinal tears-causing vitreous floaters & hazy vision. Laser helps to prevent the tear from progressing to a retinal detachment as fluid flows though untreated tears and the retina falls off the back of your eye-like wallpaper coming off a wall. This causes a veil in your side vision then central vision loss. It is painless and progressive.