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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Don't mean to be a bother but these flashes are driving me nuts!
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Don't mean to be a bother but these flashes are driving me nuts!
by Ravyn007, Dec 04, 2006 12:00AM
I know I just wrote about this but my symptoms don't match pressure phosphene. I'm aware of the normal phenomenon of rubbing ones eyes and seeing lights. What I am experiencing has nothing to do with rubbing or pressure on the eye. It happened spontaneously and now I'm having a flashing light on and off in the corner of my eye. In addition, when the flashing light isn't present but I look to the right I see three quick flashes of light which are more prominent in the dark. I also experience a clear floating object when typing or reading on a computer screen to the right of my vision. It only appears once in a while after I’ve been reading or looking at the screen for a while. The clear spot moves a bit and is quite annoying.
Could it still be diagnosed as pressure phosphene if:
a) No actual pressure has been put on the eye?
b) It occurs intermittently and is not constant? I was on vacation and it didn't happen at all. I got back and started using computers again and the flashes started again.
c) The small flashing light happens more in the morning and fades as the day goes on but it is still present in the form of quick flashes when I move my eye to the right.
Also, when does this go away? Is it permanent or will it stop with time? I also read (excuse my non-medical terminology) that as you age the consistency of the gel-like substance in the eye can change causing floaters and flashers. Could they see this during a dilated eye exam? If it is part of the aging process (I'm 33) will it go away and when?
Could it still be diagnosed as pressure phosphene if:
a) No actual pressure has been put on the eye?
b) It occurs intermittently and is not constant? I was on vacation and it didn't happen at all. I got back and started using computers again and the flashes started again.
c) The small flashing light happens more in the morning and fades as the day goes on but it is still present in the form of quick flashes when I move my eye to the right.
Also, when does this go away? Is it permanent or will it stop with time? I also read (excuse my non-medical terminology) that as you age the consistency of the gel-like substance in the eye can change causing floaters and flashers. Could they see this during a dilated eye exam? If it is part of the aging process (I'm 33) will it go away and when?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Dec 04, 2006 12:00AM
a) you mean no actual pressure on your eye FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES. your extraocular musculature and your skull/orbit are known causes of pressure and pressure phosphenes. so i guess the short answer is YES
b) "intermittently and not constant" is MORE likely to be not dangerous. the more "constant" it is, the more likely its a real retinal problem that you should worry about. the more intermittent it is, the more likely its a migraine or phosphene
c) **ANY FLASH** that occurs predictably and reliably **ONLY** when you turn your eyes a certain direction is a phosphene. if it only happens when you turn your eyes to the right, it is most likely not a retinal problem, its most likely a phosphene.
look if you're this worried about it, go back to the eye doctor and get another dilation. yes, vitrous changes over time and causes flashes and floaters. yes, that would likely be seen on a dilated eye exam.
b) "intermittently and not constant" is MORE likely to be not dangerous. the more "constant" it is, the more likely its a real retinal problem that you should worry about. the more intermittent it is, the more likely its a migraine or phosphene
c) **ANY FLASH** that occurs predictably and reliably **ONLY** when you turn your eyes a certain direction is a phosphene. if it only happens when you turn your eyes to the right, it is most likely not a retinal problem, its most likely a phosphene.
look if you're this worried about it, go back to the eye doctor and get another dilation. yes, vitrous changes over time and causes flashes and floaters. yes, that would likely be seen on a dilated eye exam.
what? um, no. you're wrong. i totally disagree with that statement as well. ever heard of a "weiss ring". google it.