Fireflies when straining--eye pressure?

[Nancy T]

I have for many years gotten short episodes of seeing "sparks" flying inward from all directions when I turn my head down and right (looking over my shoulder downward) and hold it there for a few seconds, then return my head to normal position.

Recently, however, I had something new--I got the same "sparks" after trying several times to push up a window that was stuck, thus straining and presumably increasing my head pressure.

Is this possibly related to a recent increase in my ocular pressure? Last month I was diagnosed with "ocular hypertension," after a six-month followup with the ophthalmologist found that my eye pressure is again high in both eyes, going from 24 to 25/26, I think (but no glaucoma).

Previously my eye pressure had always been normal except for being elevated one time years ago in one eye. I am 50 and overweight (definitely doing something about the latter). The ophthalmologist wants me back every six months for pressure checks.

I presume the "fireflies" are phosphenes and nothing to be worried about, but just curious whether they're related to ocular pressure or being overweight.

Thanks much,
Nancy T.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The phospenes and the elevated eye pressure could both be related to being a little heavy and having bulgy eyes that get extra pressure behind them when you bend over or strain.  I often see people that are heavy and have thick necks and it's not unusual to see their eye pressure hover around in the low twenties but not have glaucoma.  Make sure you have ophthalmologist make sure that your retinas are totally ok so you can make sure that you are not having vitreous traction or detachment or retinal tear.  Make sure, of course, that you don't have glaucoma.  In the end you can see that increased pressure in the head and neck and around eye might cause the phosphenes and the elevated eye pressure.  Just be sure you don't happen to have real glaucoma also.

MJK MD

[Nancy T]

Thank you very much, Dr. Kutryb. I have a dilated exam every year by an ophthalmologist and he says I do NOT have glaucoma and that my eyes are healthy. I asked him if there was anything I could do to help the high eye pressure and he said no, just get it checked every six months.

I don't have the bulgy eyes you see on some women (from thyroid problems??) but I do feel that being overweight (50 lbs) causes too much pressure in my head.

I do see "flashing circles" in my left eye when I move my eyes sideways after turning out the light, but from what I've read, that is pretty common at my age (50) and it's been happening for years now.

Thanks,
Nancy T.