Lightning flashes

Today I experiencedd numerous flashes of light like arcs of lightning.  It lasted for approximately 15 minutes and then gradually went away.  No other symptoms.  What could be the problem?

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

Could be serious disease of the eyes, heart, brain or blood vessels. Could be TIA  Could be eye migraine. Use the search feature and archives to read about both. See an Eye MD ophthalmologist and an Internist, cardiologist or family practitioner.

JC MD

[DianeH22]

What I experienced were actually arcs of flashing lights in 1 eye. The next day I experienced a large amout of floaters, so I went to the Ophthalmologist. He said it was typical symptoms of a vitreous gel separation.  No retinal tear.  The flashes / arcs of light are seen when the separation occurs.  And the floaters occur because of the shrinkage of the gel.  It would probably take a few months before they subside a bit.  He recommended a retinal specialist just to be on the safe side and just in case it happens in my other eye.  He says too many birthdays cause this common problem.

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

Now you know. By 50 over half of the people have PVDs (posterior vitreous detachments).

JCH MD