FLASHES

About a month ago I experienced three visual migraines, over the course of three nights. I have had these from about 14 years of age, although at that time I didn't know what the were; I simply thought I had eye strain or something.

Also, I have had floaters in my eye for the past 6 months or so. When these first occured I had a full eye examination and was told all was fine. I had another eye examination after the migaines, however she did not put the drops to see the back of my retina into my eye.

Following these visual migraine attacks, I seem to be seeing a flasing light, which is most noticable when I turn my head quickly, or look out the corner of my eye. I wouldnt say these lights are in the corner of my vision though, they are directly in front of it.They disapear after a second, however I don't know if I may just be imagining them ( I am a very anxious person, and also suffer from panic attacks), because they dont really look like the lightning bolts described on the page as being typical symptoms. I am a 20 year old student, and cannot tell you how worried I am about this.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

These latter type of flashes as you know are not typical of migraine. They could represent vitreous traction. You should see an ophthalmologist for a dilated retina exam. The lights you see with rapid eye movement could be entopic phenomena and not represent anything serious. Find an Eye MD at www.aao.org

JCHDM