Aa
Flashing in both eyes?
Hello all, my name is Diana. I am a 37 year old female in Cuba MO. I have uvitits in my left eye that has been treated and in remission for a few years, but the treatment has caused even more problems. I now have a macula hole in my left eye, I had a cataract surgery in 2012, than a macula hole surgery 2014, it helped some for 10 months, then the hole reopened and became a stage 4, another surgery in 2015 but this one failed and I am left with a permanent large hole in my left central vision. My right eye they say is fine, but I have been through hell and I am ALWAYS afraid it will happen to my right eye. I have really REALLY bad anxiety and depression so I stress A LOT. Other health problems are Idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
I get an eye test from an ophthalmologist every 1 months, in 5 years I have seen 7 ophthalmologist. 2 new ones in the past 2 months as I have moved. I just had a complete eye exam a week ago, I now have some cyst on my left macula.
I made this new appointment with my retina spec as I had an increase of floaters in my right eye and more flashing, (Flashing is in both eyes, so far way worse and every day in the left eye, sometimes lasting for full day and night) I have had it off and on in my right eye now for two months. It’s on the bottom of the eye towards the tear duct. It’s not a lightning like flash, more like a strobe light. VERY fast and an LED like color ( A bluish white and bright ) He said after a complete eye exam, Including a peripheral test, an Fluorescein eye stain, and a few others I forget that my retina is just fine and there is nothing he can see at all wrong with my right eye. He said it’s an ocular migraine. IN both eyes? That it can sometimes last for months? I have been told by 3 specialists that it is just ocular migraine! BUT Why is it so bad in the left? AND why is it starting in the right??? I have had MRI's, an MRA's and a MRV's. Many CAT scans, 3 LP's, tons of blood tests and so many other tests that I can't remember their names, but all the doctors say my right eye is very healthy??? My retina doctor is sending me to a optic- neurologist Oct/03
I AM so afraid a disease is coming on. They found nothing wrong. I never believe them, part because it took 3 visits to the eye doc to even find out I had Uvetits the first time! I have had my eye tested so many times and can't help but feel like they are missing something.
Some new problems about a year old, I see what looks like dark neon black sparkles spots in my center vision. BAD on left eye right in the macula hole, and now in right eye I see them, mostly when I am playing on the computer to much or watch to much TV, AND in left eye WAY bad when I first wake up!!
Sorry this is so long, wanted people to know what I have been dealing with before I get into what's new. I am so hyper where of my eyes, I can see my own natural blind spot, I have been able to for a few years, sometimes I relax and I don't notice it, But again I also have OCD so I can't help but look for it. *****... On a page like this mostly white it looks large and almost black, on darker backgrounds I can't see it unless I blink, then it looks like BRIGHT white, and I see it bright like light memory when I close my eyes.
I also have a long black line that looks like a dark gray M only sideways on the left side of my right eye? Right above where it flashes? :( . I am always afraid I am going blind, I am under so much stress and I was on Xanax 6mg a day for years but a doctor took me off them cold turkey, I ended up in the hospital for a week because of this and feel even worse sense then!!! It’s been 6 month off Xanax and I don't feel any better and of course my anxiety is way worse so I can't relax or stop obsessing over all the things going on with me. I am so depressed...... And to add to it, no doctor will help with the anxiety! PLEASE anyone know what I am going through? Can anyone relate?? I feel so afraid and alone?!?
Thank you so much for your time.
Diana
I get an eye test from an ophthalmologist every 1 months, in 5 years I have seen 7 ophthalmologist. 2 new ones in the past 2 months as I have moved. I just had a complete eye exam a week ago, I now have some cyst on my left macula.
I made this new appointment with my retina spec as I had an increase of floaters in my right eye and more flashing, (Flashing is in both eyes, so far way worse and every day in the left eye, sometimes lasting for full day and night) I have had it off and on in my right eye now for two months. It’s on the bottom of the eye towards the tear duct. It’s not a lightning like flash, more like a strobe light. VERY fast and an LED like color ( A bluish white and bright ) He said after a complete eye exam, Including a peripheral test, an Fluorescein eye stain, and a few others I forget that my retina is just fine and there is nothing he can see at all wrong with my right eye. He said it’s an ocular migraine. IN both eyes? That it can sometimes last for months? I have been told by 3 specialists that it is just ocular migraine! BUT Why is it so bad in the left? AND why is it starting in the right??? I have had MRI's, an MRA's and a MRV's. Many CAT scans, 3 LP's, tons of blood tests and so many other tests that I can't remember their names, but all the doctors say my right eye is very healthy??? My retina doctor is sending me to a optic- neurologist Oct/03
I AM so afraid a disease is coming on. They found nothing wrong. I never believe them, part because it took 3 visits to the eye doc to even find out I had Uvetits the first time! I have had my eye tested so many times and can't help but feel like they are missing something.
Some new problems about a year old, I see what looks like dark neon black sparkles spots in my center vision. BAD on left eye right in the macula hole, and now in right eye I see them, mostly when I am playing on the computer to much or watch to much TV, AND in left eye WAY bad when I first wake up!!
Sorry this is so long, wanted people to know what I have been dealing with before I get into what's new. I am so hyper where of my eyes, I can see my own natural blind spot, I have been able to for a few years, sometimes I relax and I don't notice it, But again I also have OCD so I can't help but look for it. *****... On a page like this mostly white it looks large and almost black, on darker backgrounds I can't see it unless I blink, then it looks like BRIGHT white, and I see it bright like light memory when I close my eyes.
I also have a long black line that looks like a dark gray M only sideways on the left side of my right eye? Right above where it flashes? :( . I am always afraid I am going blind, I am under so much stress and I was on Xanax 6mg a day for years but a doctor took me off them cold turkey, I ended up in the hospital for a week because of this and feel even worse sense then!!! It’s been 6 month off Xanax and I don't feel any better and of course my anxiety is way worse so I can't relax or stop obsessing over all the things going on with me. I am so depressed...... And to add to it, no doctor will help with the anxiety! PLEASE anyone know what I am going through? Can anyone relate?? I feel so afraid and alone?!?
Thank you so much for your time.
Diana
Well that is enough health problems for a dozen people. Life certainly isn't fair but we have to play with card's we've been dealt. You need a team of physicians including a psychiatrist, neurologist and retina specialist. I agree that the next step is see a neuro-ophthalmologist. Their job is difficult diagnosis and you should be able to get an answer about whether you do in fact have ophthalmic (eye) migraine which may or maynot have headaches. I notice you are within driving distance of Washington University in St. Louis and that is one of the most famous and capable eye centers in the world. If your treatment and diagnoses continue to be difficult it may be worthwhile to have them see in for opinions.
What is the cause of your uveitis?
Lead a healthy lifestyle. Stay away from nicotine and cannabis, exercise and watch your weight. it isn't easy but very important to maintain the health of your right eye and save what you have in the left eye. Be sure you and your psychiatrist look in to cognitive behavior therapy. OCD people often do well with that. Don't look for therapy in alcohol.
Take some measure of solace in the fact without all the modern RX you likely would have no sight at all in the LE and perhaps even the RE.
What is the cause of your uveitis?
Lead a healthy lifestyle. Stay away from nicotine and cannabis, exercise and watch your weight. it isn't easy but very important to maintain the health of your right eye and save what you have in the left eye. Be sure you and your psychiatrist look in to cognitive behavior therapy. OCD people often do well with that. Don't look for therapy in alcohol.
Take some measure of solace in the fact without all the modern RX you likely would have no sight at all in the LE and perhaps even the RE.
6 Comments
THANK you so much for answering me, I do have physicians including a psychiatrist, neurologist and retina specialist and soon to add to the list a neuro eye specialist. I am always on top of my health. I am very over weight, Low thyroid and the fact the LP's lead to 3 bulging disks in my lower spin, SO painful that I can sometimes not walk.
Because I have suicidal tendencies pain management wont do much to help with the server pain in my back and legs.. I eat right and never junk food or really red meats.. My weight is something I have been trying very hard to control, but because some days I can't move much it does not matter how well I eat. My weight just stays the same.
I got uveitis, well they found it in Aug 2011
and yes they kept it so far from spreading and I AM SO grateful. They did so many tests to try and find out why I had uveitis at the age of 33, But all test came back clean so they said it was Idiopathic. There are no tumors in eye or brain, nothing they can see at all wrong in the right optic nerve or retina, but the flashing is SO bad in left and some in the right! It has made me afraid to even leave my home :(
This is so scary. They say you are fine.. Well my right eye is.. But I have been through so much with the left and now these new problems ie flashing SO much in left, they just say there is nothing wrong!
Have you heard of flashing like mine? EVERY day?? Sometimes without a break for 24hrs OR MORE!? I have had flashing in my macula hole in left eye for 5 years now, Its seems the flashing had spread last year and just the past few months just wouldn't stop! I mean on the rare times the left eye is not flashing, it has a strange jumping look to it, add to the fact I have only 20/400 in my left eye.
Do you have any advise? Is there something we have missed?? Because it had not made the vision worse after 2 months does it mean anything? I just feel so lost and alone!
There has to be something that can be done for the sever flashing in the left eye!? Please I need some advise, I really feel like I am losing my mind and so afraid I am going to go blind from this!!
THANK YOU AGAIN so much for answering me, That was so very kind!!
Diana
Because I have suicidal tendencies pain management wont do much to help with the server pain in my back and legs.. I eat right and never junk food or really red meats.. My weight is something I have been trying very hard to control, but because some days I can't move much it does not matter how well I eat. My weight just stays the same.
I got uveitis, well they found it in Aug 2011
and yes they kept it so far from spreading and I AM SO grateful. They did so many tests to try and find out why I had uveitis at the age of 33, But all test came back clean so they said it was Idiopathic. There are no tumors in eye or brain, nothing they can see at all wrong in the right optic nerve or retina, but the flashing is SO bad in left and some in the right! It has made me afraid to even leave my home :(
This is so scary. They say you are fine.. Well my right eye is.. But I have been through so much with the left and now these new problems ie flashing SO much in left, they just say there is nothing wrong!
Have you heard of flashing like mine? EVERY day?? Sometimes without a break for 24hrs OR MORE!? I have had flashing in my macula hole in left eye for 5 years now, Its seems the flashing had spread last year and just the past few months just wouldn't stop! I mean on the rare times the left eye is not flashing, it has a strange jumping look to it, add to the fact I have only 20/400 in my left eye.
Do you have any advise? Is there something we have missed?? Because it had not made the vision worse after 2 months does it mean anything? I just feel so lost and alone!
There has to be something that can be done for the sever flashing in the left eye!? Please I need some advise, I really feel like I am losing my mind and so afraid I am going to go blind from this!!
THANK YOU AGAIN so much for answering me, That was so very kind!!
Diana
Yes on this website there are many extended discussions by people having flashing light. One is over a 1500 posts and 4+ years old. I'm sorry I cannot give you a list of things it might be but that is what the neuro-ophthalmologist is for.
I'm sure you have had this discussion with your other physicians but lack of the ability to exercise is not an essential for weight management. Weight management is 95% what you eat. It's as simple as adding/subtracting. If you take in more calories than you burn you will gain weight. Many people that cannot exercise, even those in wheelchairs are not over-weight or obese.
Have you visited with dietitians so you understand calorie counting and portion size? Are you overweight enough to consider bariatric surgery? Idiopathic Intracranial hypertension is often treated with diamox. diamox makes food loose much of its taste and many people lose weight on it.
I'm sure you have had this discussion with your other physicians but lack of the ability to exercise is not an essential for weight management. Weight management is 95% what you eat. It's as simple as adding/subtracting. If you take in more calories than you burn you will gain weight. Many people that cannot exercise, even those in wheelchairs are not over-weight or obese.
Have you visited with dietitians so you understand calorie counting and portion size? Are you overweight enough to consider bariatric surgery? Idiopathic Intracranial hypertension is often treated with diamox. diamox makes food loose much of its taste and many people lose weight on it.
I eat 5 small meals and less than 1100 cals a day. No junk and small portions. Also only Vegs and fruit for a snack.
Because of my health problems and not being able to move much, I am very careful about what I eat and how much!! Doctor said as long as I am not gaining its fine. I hate being over weight but I just can't seem to loss any, I have gone down to 800 cals a day for a few weeks and lost about a pound but also got very sick and weak, so I am trying. I quick drinking sodas all together and only drink water. I quit smoking.
So as you can see I am trying. I do go to the Washington University in St. Louis :)
I guess what I am asking is, have you heard of someone having problem, I mean prolong it days of flashing in eyes and seeing black spots that come and go in both eyes everyday??
I know LOTS of people have flashing and that would be fine if it was just sometimes, but so often and nothing can be found wrong?! Have you heard of this? DO you know what they did to help it ease?
I thank you again for taking the time out to read my long post and to answer me.
Diana
Because of my health problems and not being able to move much, I am very careful about what I eat and how much!! Doctor said as long as I am not gaining its fine. I hate being over weight but I just can't seem to loss any, I have gone down to 800 cals a day for a few weeks and lost about a pound but also got very sick and weak, so I am trying. I quick drinking sodas all together and only drink water. I quit smoking.
So as you can see I am trying. I do go to the Washington University in St. Louis :)
I guess what I am asking is, have you heard of someone having problem, I mean prolong it days of flashing in eyes and seeing black spots that come and go in both eyes everyday??
I know LOTS of people have flashing and that would be fine if it was just sometimes, but so often and nothing can be found wrong?! Have you heard of this? DO you know what they did to help it ease?
I thank you again for taking the time out to read my long post and to answer me.
Diana
Oh yes also I do have a dietitian and stick to what they say I may have, they said I am not a good candidate for weight loss surgery because food is not the problem, My IIH and thyroid is, and we are trying to get that more under control. I am and always have been far from an over eater.
No have not had anyone in my clinical practice that has lights that flash on/off for days on end. WU is a great place to go to try and get these things worked out.
No have not had anyone in my clinical practice that has lights that flash on/off for days on end. WU is a great place to go to try and get these things worked out.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Eye Care Community
Top General Health Answerers
Kansas City, MO
Grand Prairie, TX
San Diego, CA
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
