What do "flashes" from Retinal Tears / Detachment Look Like?

[Provincial]

I am a male, about 30 years old, nearsighted with astigmatism.

About nine months ago I observed sudden floaters with various flashes, sparks, etc, so I got it checked out at the optometrist and was informed that there's no retinal problem. I kept seeing sparks, flashes, so I went back about 1 month later and got re-checked. Still no problem.

Now I am confused. If what I am seeing is not from retinal tears / detachment, what do actual "flashes" from this condition look like?
- How obvious are they?
- Are they like sparks or sheet lightning or bolt lightning or something else?
- Do they come and go or do you always get them constantly if the retinal tear is real?

[mooster72]

I had been noticing floaters and they were getting worse. The second thing I noticed was when I would bend my head down I would see as I want to describe it a curtain going down in my eye. The third and finally straw was I saw fireworks in my eye. Let me tell you you have a very few hours to get to a doctor. Thank God mine is ok now although the floaters
are beginning to come back. I am scared to death and do not know when I
should call a doctor.

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

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[Provincial]

Thanks for the response. Both times when I was examined by optometrists, it was the fully dilated (with eye-drops) fundus exam including digital retinal photography. Also I saw a separate specialist ophthalmologist sometime after that, and all three examinations revealed no problems.

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

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[Risa615]

Hello,
Four months before I turned 36, I started seeing flashing lights like lightening bolts and  I went blind in my left eye within four days.  I had retinal detachment.  I actually went on on day two, and saw a regular dr and he sent me home telling me I was fine.  Well, the next day at night, the blindness started.  By day four I could see only the top right corner.  Surgery on day 5 with the buckle and gas bubbles.  Now at 41, I am still fine. I also have astigmatism and I am nearsighted, worn glasses since I was six.  I had gone to the optometrist 6 months before going blind, but since my eyes were not dilated, he did not see the tear.  You really should see in opthomologist.  There are a few that answer questions here, so hopefully one will write you.

Risa