floaters/flashes and MS?

[Foodie123]

Does anyone else see floaters/flashes when having neurological symptoms. I've noticed a pattern that whenever I have a neurological symptom, I start to see floaters and flashes. And when I'm not having a relapse, I don't see them. My retina specialist told me that MS can cause floaters/flashes for sure. I have my next appt with neuro in 2 weeks, will defintely ask him if there is a correlation between the two. I didn't have optic neuritis or any inflammation when I had my retina appt on Dec 2. So if there was no inflammation in my eyes, then how is MS causing my floaters/flashes?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

[MandieA]

I am 17 have been seeing flashes of lights in corner of my eyes cause it seems like the light is almost dragging my phone,tv, lamp etc.  I see floaters when I'm driving and just recently had a problem with my eyes seeing a consistent flash that didn't go away for 30 minutes. I also have trouble looking at my TV it's almost like I can't see the white letters on the guid straight when I sit on the couch but up closer I'm fine. I'm very terrified, I also have low blood pressure Could that be a sign?? MS runs in my family could that be it??? Someone please help I can't afford to make a million dr visits. I just had my checked 20/20 vision and this just started happening like 4 days ago it's really scaring me

[maxthecat9196]

I hope this doesn't mean you are headed for a new exacerbation.  Have you contacted your neurologist yet?

[Foodie123]

Tammy, that is exactly whats going on with me. Whenever I have a relapse, such as tingling sensations throughout body, I start seeing flashes and floaters. This was back in 2008. And then for 3 years, I was in a remission period with no MS neurological symptoms and no flashes or floaters. Like you said, I would just get them "periodically" during those 3 remission years. Now it's 2012 and I'm getting the tingling, prickling sensations again and guess what...I'm seeing the flashes and floaters again.

This is interesting. I notice a pattern here. Glad I'm not the only one experiencing it.  

[JaneK1975]

I have both floaters and flashers on a fairly regular basis. I also have migraines, and my migraines are preceded by visual auras, so I have always assumed that my floaters and flashers are a symptom of migraines. However, since being diagnosed with MS and talking about the disease with my neuro, I get the impression that the auras are the floaters/flashers that precede a migraine and only last for a few hours. The ones that last for weeks are probably due to MS. I figure I'll really never know which is which...

I've never been diagnosed with ON, by the way. I've also never talked to an eye doctor about floaters/flashers, although I did mention to an optometrist once that I often wake up with two different sized pupils.

[COBOB]

Floaters (myodesopsia) are usually pretty normal and usually age related.  If the move up when you move your head down and move to the left when you move your head to the right, they are optical in nature and caused by "junk" floating in the fluid of the eye.  

Flashes (especially with reduced visual fields) can be a sign of a detaching retina.  I have had a couple of bouts of Optic Neuritis in my right eye with changes to the right optic nerve and left optic tract.  No flashes or increases in "floaters."  My existing "floaters" may be more apparent since my vision gets blurred and most red colors are "off."  I have seen floaters in each eye since my 20's and was told to "learn to live with them."

My first stop was the eye doctors.  I was examined by an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist.  They referred me to a specialty neurologist (A Neuro-Ophthalmologist.)  This is where MS was first mentioned and the MRI and VEP started.  

Bob

[Twinsmom06]

I can't wait to hear about this because I have the same issue. No pain but I notice a lot of floaters in recent months but no sign of ON...although I have not been examined for it either.

When I blink its like a flash and when i look right on...it is almost like my eye is still moving...but I know its not! At least I'm not getting any funny looks that make me think so:)

I notice it most often when I am looking at or toward a light colored wall. I don't notice much with a dark color background.

I often wonder if mine has anything to do with being on the computer so much. But I don't hear other people complain of this so I just don't know what to think. And again...it just started for me within the last couple months. Who knows!?!?!?!