Bright flashes of light - Eye & Vision Message Board

ADepressedGuy · 02-09-2002, 09:24 PM

Im sitting there, and usually out of the corner of my eye I see a silver/white flash. Like the ones you see when someone takes your picture with the flash turned on, but they are not wide spread, isolated very brief flashes in my vision field, I get them ocasioanlly, I also sometimes have pain, especiallly in my right eye, sometimes it hurts to turn it certain directions, that may just be a weird migraine..but the flashes just happen randomly, and usually are out of the corner of my eye, but sometimes right infront of me.. no other symptoms...anyone seen these?or have any advice?

Everytime a doctor looks into my eyes, especially my right eye, he says hmmm, and keep staring for a reaaaaaaaallll long time and asks me if I wear glasses or anything

[This message has been edited by ADepressedGuy (edited 02-09-2002).]

Jackshovel · 02-20-2006, 06:23 AM

I just started with the same thing Saturday after moving a ton of wood pellets. Don't know if I poped something or what. I have ITP and Glaucoma. I've had Ocular Migraines where this weird C shape starts at the center of my vision and gets bigger until it goes to my peripheral vision and goes away. That takes about 20 minutes. Haven't had thoes for a long time. Now if I turn my head fast to the right or left I get this flash of light like a bolt of lightning or something but white in my left eye and on the outside peripheral vision. I seeem to have more floaters since this started. Hope someone out there can tell us what the heck it might be. I'm 59 and the only stroke I want is on my Motorcycle engine.
Jack

PsYcHo[666] · 02-21-2006, 05:25 AM

Ok....

White flashes can mean that a retinal detachment/retinal tear is occuring in your eye. Retinal tears are easy to clear up, I think you need eye drops or something, this can be done in your doctors office. A retinal detachment however, is more serious. You will need surgery to reattach it. I reccomend a visit to the hospital, it can often lead to blindness. A second oppinion never hurts! ...Unless they stick a needle in your eye or something...

turl · 02-21-2006, 12:46 PM

Hi Jack: I have the same problem. Sounds like you might've stretched the vitreous in your eyes during your heavy working?

I remember glancing/darting my eyes back and forth a little forcefully one day. Next day I had much increased floaters and that flash of light in the periphery of my vision whenever I turned my head quickly (it's caused by the vitreous "tugging"). That was a few months ago, and the flash of light is barely noticeable now. However, my vitreous completely detached after this (you usually know this by a large, roundish--like an "o"--floater near the center of your vision--at least mine is). I've seen the opthalmologist twice, and so far the vitreous hasn't tugged on my retina, causing a tear--this is the main concern of a detached vitreous and why it should be checked out by an opthal. (needs to fully dilate the eyes to see).

As we get older, the vitreous isn't as strong and is susceptible to "breaking" down and tearing.....thus the increase in floaters. Usually it's "nothing" (yeah right!) to be concerned about, but in the rare instance that it pulls too much on the retina causing a tear, you do need to make sure it's seen about. A tear in the retina can be fixed with out-patient laser surgery, but if it develops into a detachment, you'll need "real" surgery (hospital stay, I think--unless it's changed since my husband had his) or you could lose your sight in that eye.

Hope this helps..... and that you're better soon.
Tab

Sunlover · 02-25-2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADepressedGuy

Im sitting there, and usually out of the corner of my eye I see a silver/white flash. Like the ones you see when someone takes your picture with the flash turned on, but they are not wide spread, isolated very brief flashes in my vision field, I get them ocasioanlly, I also sometimes have pain, especiallly in my right eye, sometimes it hurts to turn it certain directions, that may just be a weird migraine..but the flashes just happen randomly, and usually are out of the corner of my eye, but sometimes right infront of me.. no other symptoms...anyone seen these?or have any advice?

Everytime a doctor looks into my eyes, especially my right eye, he says hmmm, and keep staring for a reaaaaaaaallll long time and asks me if I wear glasses or anything

[This message has been edited by ADepressedGuy (edited 02-09-2002).]

That is an EXTREMELY common thing - I have them every day every couple of minutes for years. I see a doctor and retinal specialist and there's nothing wrong, just vitreous tugging on the retina. That could cause a tear so it's always important to get a yearly dilated exam. And if for some reason it gets markedly worse or you see a "shower" of floaters, call the dr. ASAP for an exam.