Vision problem causing starbursts and ghost images?

[Filip153]

Hello,

i have a problem with both eyes, im gonna see a doctor in january but i would like to ask you here,too. I see ghost images, when i look into my laptop, if im reading something or looking at something bright on dark background. This is caused by astigmatism from what i have heard. I didnt pay much attention to it, because it was not that bad. About 6 weeks ago, i started to see strange glares and starbursts coming from light sources. I wouldnt even call it starbursts. It looks like 6 yellow (mostly,but depends on colour) lines coming down from source of light (for example headlight) right into my eyes. They look like rays of light. Similar thing like this is when im watching TV/laptop/smartphone i see something like reflection coming out it. I think those rays and these reflections are the same thing, because i started to notice them at the same time, and they also disappear when i open my eyes wide or cover upper part of my eyes with hand. Pinhole test makes my vision perfect too (no ghost images or light reflections). I would like to know, what do you think about these problems, that are happening to me. Do you think these symptoms are caused by uncorrected astigmatism? My myopia is 0,5 for both eyes.

Thank you.

[JohnHaganMD]

There are a number of things that might cause these symptoms. The younger and healthier you are the more likely its just a change in your myopia or the development of astigmatism. Other things less likely that could cause this are cataracts, disease of the cornea or macula.  Likely a new glasses RX will get rid of your symptoms.

[Filip153]

Thank you for your answer. I am 23 years old, so i ,,hope'' it is just an astigmatism and nothing more serious. If it is development of astigmatism, is it possible that this reflection or light sensitivity is just temporary symptom? Because my vision is not so bad, i dont use glasses very often, only for TV and driving. Even those shadow/ ghost images above some letters/traffic lights are not that bad. But if that light coming down from every white screen or headlight right into my eyes is permament, i feel really depressed. It is also very exhausting for my eyes to look into monitor for a longer time because of it.

[JohnHaganMD]

Don't court problems given your age its not likely to be serious. Also at your monitor every 10-15 minutes look away from your screen, focus across the room and blink hard 5-6 times. This does two things it stretches the focus muscle (like getting up out of a chair to stretch after sitting too long) and it moistens the cornea. Also try instilling artificial tears every 3-4 hours.