seeing very bright green light/black in right eye

this afternoon when I was walking outside(I was wearing sunglasses and hat), I first noticed a black shadow like a very long, thick line, followed by a very bright light(I don't remember what's the color when it first came).  Then every time I blink, I saw the strong green line, and it goes black.  Then I blink again, I saw the green line, and it goes black.  It lasted less than 2 minutes, complete subsides after I went indoor for 30 seconds.  This only happens in right eye.

I had tear in right eye before.  Is the flash I saw what people called the "flash" for the retinal tear?  If not, what else can it be?  Should I go to ER?  Thanks!

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

If's its gone and you're back to normal I don't think you need to go to ER. I suggest you call your Eye MD's office tomorrow for their advice. It's not really typical of anything so I can't give you any ideas what might have caused it.

JCH MD

[daylight79]

Thank you Dr, I have called the office and they let me in for a check on Saturday.  The Dr on call examined me and cleared me for new tears, and said it might just be light phenomenon.  She's going to send a note to my Dr and see if he wants to see me anytime soon.

The only thing is after the exam, I noticed my left eye is a lot more red than normal(she checked both eyes by having me lie down and use a "stick/needle" like tool).  the left eye also feels stinging when water gets into it and I occasionally feels pain in the eye too .  

Just wondering is the redness something to worry about?  Is that normal for patients who undergo this kind of examination?  Thanks!

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

The "stick-needle instrument is a "scleral depressor" and some redness is normal. So is some soreness.

JCH MD

[daylight79]

Thank you Dr Hagan, the redness is much better now in my left eye.

What happened today is I was in the restroom and I lifted my head(was looking downwards) and suddnely I saw a white light in the corner of the right eye, and it went away very quickly(like in a second).  It looks like what people describe here as "camera goes off", but the brightness is not so intense.  The area is a little bit larger than the size of a cent.

I was scared as I was reading through the articles where you have a comment which I quote below"RD flahses are generally very bright and very large and very short duration. "

Is what I am seeing a sign for RD(not just tear)?  Should I call to be seen immediately?  I have only seen this flash once.

Thank you, I am so worried.

[daylight79]

just to clarify, the light i see is round shaped.  Thanks!

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

It usually is vitreous traction due to PVD or posterior vitreous detachment. Use the search feature and archives and read about. Do call your ophthalmologist.

JCH MD

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

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[daylight79]

Dr Hagan,  I have one more question for you. When we are talking about lights that can possibly lead to retinal tears, are those lights always observed as happening in the eye(0 distance from the eye)? Sometimes I see some bright lights that are at a distance, could that also due to viterous traction?  Thank you very much!

[daylight79]

Hi, Dr Hagan,

I find myself seeing black streaks almost everyday under bright light, even when I wearing sunglasses.  It's been going on for almost two weeks.  They last less than two minutes.  Sometimes they appear/disapper/reappear following it's own rythm.  Sometimes they disppear and if I blink they would appear.  Sometimes it's pure black streaks, sometimes if i blink hard it will turn to look like electric wave(though the shape does not change, just the color).  Sometimes I see it when I close my eyes(colored streaks), sometimes I don't.

Does this sound anything obvious to you?  I will see my retina doctor in two weeks.  What examinations should I ask for?  Do I need to see an neural opthalmologist asap?  Do I need MRI and etc?  Thank you very much!

[daylight79]

It happens probably once everyday as long as I go for a walk during 12 to 3.  I only spent about 15 minutes outdoor.  Thanks!