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Apr 5, 2024 · Flashes of light in your vision come from inside your eye. They are not caused by lights or anything else outside of your body. Most flashes happen when the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks or changes, pulling on the retina (the light sensitive lining of the eye). Flashes of light can also happen if you’re hit in the eye or rub your eyes ...
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Sep 6, 2023 · As it pulls away, it often tugs on the retina and that causes an arc-like flash of light in the periphery of the vision. A small number of people who undergo this normal process will develop a tear in the retina or a detachment of the retina .
- Overview
- Eye anatomy and flashes of light
- What does it mean when you see a flash on the side of your eye?
- When to seek emergency medical care
- When to consult a doctor or other healthcare professional
- How are flashes in the eye treated?
- Frequently asked questions
- The bottom line
Seeing flashing lights in your eye could indicate many different health conditions. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, but you’ll definitely want to see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
Have you noticed flashes or threads of light in the corners of your eye and wondered what’s going on? Flashes in your eye are a type of photopsia or vision disturbance.
The retina is a thin, light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the inside of your eye. It transmits electrical signals to your brain via the optic nerve. The retina’s job is to process the focused light that comes in through your pupil and let your brain convert this information into a picture.
The vitreous humor is a clear jelly-like fluid that takes up a large part of the back of your eye. It protects the retina and helps your eye maintain its shape.
The retina knows only one “language,” and that’s light. This means that anything stimulating the retina, including pushing or pulling on the retina, can lead to the transmission of a light impulse – even in a totally darkened room.
Tiny fibers float in the clear vitreous fluid; some are attached to the retina’s surface. When these fibers tug or pull on the retinal surface, it can cause flashes or light sparks from the friction.
Eye-related conditions
Several types of eye-related conditions may cause light flashes to appear in the corner of your eye or field of vision. This includes: •Posterior vitreous detachment: This is one of the most common causes of light flashes in your eye. It typically happens as you get older. With posterior vitreous detachment, the vitreous humor detaches from the retina. If it happens too quickly, it can cause small flashes of light, usually in the corner of your vision. It can also cause floaters. This condition doesn’t usually require treatment. •Optic neuritis: Optic neuritis happens when the optic nerve becomes inflamed. This can be caused by an infection or a nerve-related disorder such as multiple sclerosis. Flashes of light can be a symptom of this condition. •Retinal detachment: Retinal detachment is a serious condition that can cause partial or complete vision loss. When this happens, the retina detaches, shifts, or moves away from the back wall of the eye. •Pressure on the retina: If you rub your eyes, cough too hard, or get hit on the head, you may notice light flashes due to extra pressure. •Injury: An injury directly to your eye may cause you to see flashes or “stars” due to pressure on the retina.
Other health conditions
Light flashes may also be a symptom of: •Occipital epilepsy: This rare type of seizure in the occipital lobe of the brain can cause visual flashes in the eye. It can be a sign of seizure activity. This is sometimes mistakenly diagnosed as a migraine aura. Typically, though, occipital epilepsy is shorter (seconds) compared to a migraine aura (minutes). •Migraine: Visual disturbances are common with a migraine aura. You may see flashes of light, zigzag lines, stars, or dots of light in your eyes. These symptoms usually go away within 60 minutes. •Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs): More commonly referred to as ministrokes, TIAs happen when a blood clot temporarily restricts blood flow to your brain. TIAs can cause visual disturbances, including flashes of light in your eyes. •Diabetes: Flashes of light or floaters can be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy. •Tumors: Tumors in different areas of the eyes or brain can generate flashes when you move your head or neck.
Medication side effects
Some medications may cause light flashes or floaters in your eyes. This includes: •bevacizumab (Avastin) •sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio) •clomiphene (Clomid) •digoxin (Lanoxin) •paclitaxel (Abraxane) •quetiapine (Seroquel) •quinine •voriconazole (Vfend)
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss. If you have the following symptoms, get medical help right away:
•sudden flashes of light, especially when you look to the side
•partial vision loss or darkened vision
•blurred vision
•dizziness
•other sudden vision-related problems
Make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or primary care physician if you:
•have a sudden increase in flashes of light in your eye or eyes
•notice an increase in the size and number of floaters
•have a sudden change to your vision
•have an increase in visual auras with migraine
A healthcare professional can determine the cause of the light flashes based on the type, duration, and location of these visual disturbances.
Flashes of light in your eye are typically a symptom of an issue related to your eyes or some other health condition. A comprehensive eye exam, including pupil dilation and retinal funduscopy, can help identify the reason for the flashes. The treatment will depend on the underlying cause
When you consult a healthcare professional, be sure to go over all the medications you’re currently taking. Some medications can cause vision-related side effects.
In some cases, as with optic neuritis, treating the cause of the inflammation or infection can stop the light flashes. Tears in the retina or retinal detachment may require surgery.
There’s no treatment for shrinking of the vitreous that normally occurs with age.
Are flashing lights a symptom of stroke?
Yes, flashing lights or “floaters” in your vision can signify a stroke. Other symptoms include blurred vision, dark spots, and vision changes that worsen over time. Seek emergency medical attention.
What are the symptoms of a ministroke in the eye?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ministroke can cause sudden vision loss, blurred vision, double vision, and light sensitivity. These changes usually affect one eye only and are often painless. Seek immediate medical help.
What do retinal tear flashes look like?
Retinal tears or retinal detachment are often characterized by flashing lights, streaks of lightning, or stars in your line of sight. These flashes are often white or yellow and may be more noticeable in a dark room.
A wide variety of issues can cause flashes of light. Some may be related to your eye, and some may be a symptom of another type of condition, such as migraine, epilepsy, diabetes, or TIAs.
To stay on top of your eye health, it’s important to visit an eye doctor for a checkup at least once a year.
Sep 21, 2022 · Causes of Flashing Lights in the Eyes. Commonly, seeing flashing lights is caused by the following, often involving interaction with the retina: Posterior vitreous detachment: This happens when the jelly in the eye begins to shrink as you age. It can tug on the light-sensitive retina, causing flashes. Retinal detachment or retinal tear: These ...
Flashes are bright sparks or streaks of light that appear suddenly and briefly in vision. Flashes usually come from tugging on retinal photoreceptors, which may signal impending or actual vitreous detachment, retinal hole, or retinal detachment. Flickers are sparkles that shimmer in vision ("scintillations") Flickers usually come from activated ...
Oct 25, 2023 · If left untreated, a retinal detachment may lead to permanent loss of vision. A warning sign of a retinal tear is repeated flashes that could occur within seconds or hours of each other, said Dr. Schuman. Other signs include a sudden increase in floaters, a curtain in front of the eye, a loss of peripheral vision, or a narrowing of the visual ...
People also ask
What are flashes of light?
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Are flashing lights a sign of a stroke?
May 21, 2020 · Flashes appear when the vitreous gel fails to separate cleanly and then tugs and creates friction on portions of the retina. This tugging and friction can also result in a retinal tear. Fluid can enter through the tear and cause a retinal detachment. If left untreated, a retinal detachment may lead to permanent loss of vision.
