Flashes of Light In Vision

Hello Doctor,

I'm 20 years and a male and I had a quick question about a problem I started to experience recently.  I haven't been to my GP about this yet, but thought I'd just check here to see what you thought first.  For about a week now, I've started to sometimes see flashes of light in my  vision.  At first, I thought I was just seeing things, but I keep thinking I see flashes of light and it's been happening daily for over a week.  It happens really quickly, and I think it's only happening when I blink.  It hasn't been anything other than an annoyance, but I'm not sure if it indicates something more serious is possibly going on and if I should follow up with my GP.  

I currently wear prescription glasses, with about a -5 strength for each eye (it's increased every year since I was 13).  I've had a history of floaters in my field of view, particularly after prolonged studying or eye stress (sometimes without that).  I've read that it may have something to do with "ocular migraines," but while I do have a history of migraine headaches, I have not experienced any in the past couple of months.

Thanks for your time, any advice would be appreciated. :)

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The flashes could be a sign of a vitreous detaachment or a retinal detachment.  You should be seen right away by an ophthalmologist.  Because of your myopia, you are more prone to a retinal detachment.  Good Luck.

Michael Kutryb, MD
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Kutryb Eye Institute
407 S Washington Ave
Titusville, 32796

[HSci34]

Also, just thought I'd mention - it isn't constantly happening.  It's been infrequently occurring throughout the day randomly.

[LPNGirl07]

I'm not a forum doctor, but am an LPN (not on this forum though). It might be a posterior vitreous detachment..... I had one of those in my eye recently and it started w/ floaters & flashes that looked like lightning bolts. I am myopic too. You might wanna get into see your opthamologist soon. U can search for PVD on here and it will bring up a lot on it. However, u may not even have this... just thought I'd try to be of some help. Good luck!

[AnnaE]

I am not a doctor. I am very experienced with helping eye patients, including myself. I am a community leader on the community eye care forum,

More information and an eye exam are needed immediately so that your doctor can tell you if there may be a problem

If you have a detachment, it is much less likely to be repaired if it is not discovered within the first 2 weeks. I know. I lost 80% vision in i eye and it is still at risk--for the eye itself.

I am trying to be supportive, not scary.

See a RETINOLOGIST. If you can find one tonight, call tonight. Call your ophthalmologist. Find a retinologist at www.aao.org. Find the best at Castle Connelly.com, for a small fee.


Write back if you need to.

[HSci34]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I will go see my doctor tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I don't have an ophthalmologist right now, but I'll alert her to how serious I feel it might be and see what she suggests I do.

[HSci34]

Ah my doctor is closed tomorrow, I didn't know that this problem could be so serious and am feeling a bit worried about it now.  How is this diagnosed, should I go to my local emergency room in the morning?

[AnnaE]

Most emergency rooms in my city do not have eye doctors there, You need to see a retinologist. I gave you som website address to find one at. If you find one tomorrow, call his number. Many retinologists have tech who answer the phone 24 hours a day. They will screen your syptoms (symptoms) and decide if you need to see the doctor immediately, or if Monday is fine.

Do not be alarmed at this point. Just work in being seen asap. What kind of doc is your?
An optometrist? Optometrist sgould take care of filling prescriptions, not giving diagnoses. Have you seen floaters or a curtain? A curtain is like a big floater covering an outer area of your eye?

[HSci34]

Well, I'm in Canada and the only way I can be seen by an ophthalmologist is by being referred to one.  I haven't seen any floaters recently, only the flashes of light every now and then.

[HSci34]

By the way, my doc is just a GP, she'll have to refer me to an ophthalmologist before I can see one.  I'll go tomorrow and see what she says.

[AnnaE]

Please go. I hope you are fine.

[HSci34]

Thanks for all of your help.  I truly appreciate it.

I went to an optometrist yesterday who did a full ocular exam on me. There was no retinal detachment.  However, he noted that I had swollen nerves and increased occular pressure.  He mentioned that this could mean that there is increased pressure around my brain and spinal cord.  He is getting me an appointment with an opthamologist, who can do further tests, hopefully before the end of the week.