Eye Problem?

I'm not sure what this is, but sometimes, very rarely, I have black flashes. Today it happened twice within a few minutes. It's like everything becomes black and then I get my vision back. It's like I become blind for a second and then I can see again. Sometimes, I see spots in the corner of my eye, but that is usually when I see bright light all of a sudden. I'm not sure what this is. Is this an eye problem?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear goldenrainfalls,

You may be describing a condition known as amaurosis fugax.  I would recommend that you seek immediate care as this may represent a transient ischemic attack which can portend a stroke.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California