Flashing lights, perfect healthy eyes?

[Mel112208]

I am a 35 yr old female with  an issue that causes me anxiety day in and out. I started seeing arc like flashed in my periferal vision in my right eye 6 months ago. No new floaters. The flashes calmed down after about 4 months but just this weekend came back like before. My father has had 2 detached retinas so this of couse worries me. However, I have only a mild eye glass rx for reading. No other issues. I have been to 2 eye doctors, one 6 months ago and one again today who tell me my eyes are healthy. Optic nerve pictures show no issue and tests show no retina tears. I'm so confused. Today the eye dr said that sometimes flashes take time to go away if it was from a benign posterior detachment but usually should have calmed down by now. Which they did calm down but suddenly came back this weekend. Ugh. I have good vision, no glacoma (had tests today), no know issues but these flashing lights that give me anxiety throughout the day. Any advice from anyone?

[JohnHaganMD]

With your family history you need to be under the care of Eye MD ophthalmologist. Not non-MD optometrists. You do need to see an Eye MD that specializes in retina diseases. Word on getting into one as quickly as possible. If you see an Eye MD ask him/her to assist with the referral.

[xltjim]

Hello, are you under the care of an MD Opthalmolgist?  I am not a doctor but will just relate my experience.  My arc like flash persisted and was stable for 4 months until one day I had the symptoms of a RD (millions of floaters, ink like floaters, intense flashes, beginning of curtain in vision).  I had seen my retina opthalmologist several times prior to the symptoms of RD.  Dilated exams, schleral depressions.  Was diagnosed with PVD, but since I had a detachment in my other eye a year earlier, was told to monitor and get in as soon as I noticed any new developments.   So, in the end I ended up with 5 retinal tears in that eye which required a vitrectomy to correct.  I would think you have a couple of options.

1).  Since you have been seen and assuming by an MD Opthalmolgist just today, watch and wait for anything new and call them immediately as an emergency.  They may or may not refer you to a MD that specializes in retina issues.
2).  Get a second opinion directly from a Retina Opthalmologist.  It would be good to be an established patient with one should you develop retina issues -- also I believe would give you piece of mind.  You would then have a relationship with a Retina Dr. that you could call immediately if symptoms change.

I suggest option 2.  Anything new I go directly to my retina surgeon although I have some history to warrant this.