Flashes

[Jeff53]

For the past few weeks, I've notices a herringbone like light in the lower right side of my right eye.  It goes away after a short period of time though at  the time it's difficult to see properly.  I also notice some flashes at night though not on a regular basis.    Last week some difficulty in seeing the end of words on the right but that too went away.

I had an eye exam with an opthomologist last week and she couldn't find anything wrong.

About 7 years ago I had a vitrious dertachment in both my eyes.

Is it possible I have a retinal tear or something worse?  I'm 61 year old male.

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

Jeff you need to see another eye MD as suggested. You could have serious disease of the eye, heart, brain or blood vessels.

JH MD

[Jeff53]

what is a glass looking image?  When I had this the first time, I thought what I was experiencing was a reflection in my glasses.  I took the glasses off and the effect was still there.

[AnnaE]

Please get check immediately by an MD, Those could be symptoms of retinal detachment.

I am a retina patient. It is necessary that you are checked right away. Do you have an increase in floaters--black spots/webs? If you see a curtain/glass-looking image in your eye, these are also symptoms.

[Jeff53]

The night flashes were lightning like.  The others are similar to what happens when you are exposed to bright sunlight or if you look into a halogen light. Can you get a retinal tear after vitrious detatchment?

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

Retinal tear flashes are very bright in intensity and very short duration. Like a bolt of lightening at night. Persistent lights that last minutes to longer are not retinal in nature. If the problem persists I would see a neuro ophthalmologist or at least get a second opinion.

JCH MD