Weird eye symptoms getting worse, help please

Hello!  =)  I'm new to the community here so please forgive me if this is not posted in the correct area.  

I am 31 years old and was diagnosed as auto-immune several years ago.  Among other things, I suffer from Sjogren's Syndrome so my eyes are always quite dry. I have worn glasses since I was in 5th grade and have experienced floaters my whole life, (floaters run in the family).  Glaucoma also runs in the family however I have not had any problems of that sort.

Over the last year, I have been experiencing new eye discomfort.  The first is very bright lights that I see when my eyes are closed.  It doesn't happen all the time - I mostly notice it when I lie in bed though it happens other times too.  It's as if a car is coming right at me in pitch black night with its brights on.  It fades in, lasts about 5-10 seconds, and then fades out.  Sometimes I see flashes that are more light lightening.  Those can happen anytime, (eyes closed or open).  They are infrequent, however it never used to happen so it gets my attention.  I've also been seeing fast moving shadows that cross my vision.  They vary in size and shape, (similar to my floaters) however they are VERY DARK black and move quickly, (unlike my floaters, which are lighter, smaller, and move slowly or just "hang".  This new "vision" is like a black animal ran past my field of vision.  I see these quite often, in all manner of light.  

Also, more frequently, I have been experiencing dizziness which can induce nausea.  It gets better for me if I close my eyes.  It has the feeling of my eyes confusing my brain.  I feel that my brain understands that the room isn't moving - it's my eyes that are confused somehow.  Reading and watching tv can be especially difficult at times for me now and I get car sick very easily these days when I never had problems with these things before.  Light sensitivity has become worse for me now and sometimes the dizziness can lead to migraines.

Because I lost my job a year ago, (and consequently my healthcare) I have not been to a doctor about this.  I know my vision has become worse since my last appointment so I'm sure I'm overdue for a new prescription in my glasses but it doens't seem like just that alone is enough to cause all this crazy stuff.  

Any suggestions?
Thanks!  =)

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

Changing glasses will not take care of these symtpoms. I suggest you see a neuroophthalmolgist. They are the 'Scherlock Holmes of ophthalmology Find one at www.aao.org

JCH MD