sparkles? Angels? What?

[was2020]

I am a 33 year old female. I have recently begun a chemotherapy regimen that includes herceptin, taxol, aloxy, pepcid, heprin, decadron, and xanax PRN. I have noticed my vision getting worse and understand that this may get better once my chemo is over. I have also noticed stars if I am overly active. I have had a couple floaters my whole life and have some now. The thing I don't understand is the sparkle and the bubble. I think it comes from my left eye. I see, in my upper field of vision a round white sparkle which is momentary. If it were a hundred years ago, I would swear that it were an angel or spirit. I have seen it several times, mostly in dim environments-always in the upper field of vision. This also sometimes comes with a bubble thingy in my lower vision area. It looks like someone left a magnifying glass on a small part of a picture. It is also momentary and it never happens at the exact same moment as the sparkle. What are the names of these things? What should I do about them?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear was 2020:

I would recommend that you seek the care of an eyeMD to determine the cause of your sparkles and angels and determine whether this is vascular or might be related to vitreous detachment.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I suspect you are having some sort of floaters or possible not feeling well and maybe having low blood pressure episodes.  If you are concerned, it would be a good idea to see an ophthalmologist for a general complete exam.  You have a lot on your plate right now so it's not a good idea to get overly worried about this symptoms.  Just have a complete eye exam as a good measure anyway, though.

MJK MD