Hyperawareness of afterimages

[collegegirley2006]

I'm a healthy 25 y/o female with no health issues.  In December of 2008 I had an increase in floaters, started seeing flashes in my vision and seeing afterimages.  I had 2 dilated eye exams with an ophthalmologist, both coming back normal.  I was told by the ophthalmologist that there was no explanation as to why I was seeing these things and they eventually might go away.  

The flashes went away after a few months, but I still see the afterimages, at least I think I do.  I'm not sure if I'm just overly aware of the afterimages since I was seeing them slightly when I had the flashes in my vision.  I don't know if I'm just making myself see these things because I saw them in the past and wasn't given a definitive answer as to why.  My anxiety level seems to be much higher because I fear there is something seriously wrong with me.

I'll see the afterimage after looking at something very bright, like a headlight or taillight, or staring at a computer screen for a long time (I work on the computer on a daily basis).  The afterimage goes away with 1-2 seconds and I only see them if I focus my line of sight on the bright object.

I thought I had palinopsia, but my symptoms don't seem to match up with what they describe, my afterimages don't last long at all, I guess I can't differentiate what I'm seeing as normal vs. abnormal.  I've had no headaches or eye pain, so I guess my question is am I being hyper-aware of something that is a normal phenomenon?

[skimordiegirl]

Hi,

Have you found out an answer to your vision stuff? I have the same issues. The afterimages affect me the most when driving and dealing with brake lights.

skimordiegirl at yahoo ******* is my email

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

See a neurologist if very concerned.  

Dr. O.