Headaches, Flashing Lights in Eyes (Phosphenes). Advice please.

[louiseclare]

Hi guys,

Totally new here, so hello to all :) I've been using this forum for a short while, but this is my first post.

I've always been a little on edge about health related things, but am mostly in good health. From the start of the year though, been having some problems that are scaring me. Will explain.

Am self employed, use a laptop frequently. Take regular breaks, don't work late etc. Occasional headaches in the past but just the normal stuff. Over Christmas I took two weeks off and the laptop was totally turned off.

When I went back to work in the first week of January I noticed an unusual circular pulsing dot to the left of my vision early in the morning. Didn't think anything of it, but it was there every morning. Around 5th of January, I started to get flashing lights EVERY night without fail in my eyes as soon as I try to go to sleep. Phosphenes, I think they are?! They have continued without fail every night. Headaches have become daily. I've had migraine auras in the past, but the flashing lights don't seem to be an aura as they don't go away.

My headaches are pretty persistent and seem to be tension related - my temple and muscles around the eyebrow are very tender, but the rest of my head can also be affected during the headache too.

Went to the docs, didn't seem too concerned about the flashing lights which did bug me. He put me on amytripline for the headaches, but they made me tired and really irritable (i'm generally very happy!), so I came off them.

Headaches have continued since then, flashing lights every night, and I still see the pulsating dot every now and again at random intervals.

I went to the opticians who said my eyes look fine. Went back to the docs who has referred me to an eye specialist who I see at the end of the month, but he said he doesn't think they'll find anything. Obviously a little worked up as I'm concerned it is something brain related!!

Other than that in good health. BP fine, everything else fine. I have suffered eye floaters since I can remember and seem to have the delightful visual snow many talk about. I'm used to all of this though, but could the phosphenes be an extension of the floaters/visual snow?! Why do I see them every night? Could the headaches be separate?

Please someone reassure me. Would LOVE to hear of anyone who has the flashing lights/phosphenes, as the internet seems to have nothing on them.

Thank you so much.

[Starman]

Your having what is called a classic migraine. I used to get them alot when I was younger. Don't get them much now. The flashing lights is called auroras. Yes they are annoying but completely non-life threating. Amtripline is one preventative treatment options amoung others which would tell me your doctor suspected you were having migraines. Its harmless you will live. :yesyes:

[louiseclare]

Thanks Starman. Can it really be a migraine if I'm having them every night without fail though? And headaches daily? Surely that's a little too long for a migraine aura? If I shut my eyes in a dark room during the day, they're then too, so evidently can be there at any time.

[bengalcat]

Hello louiseclare. May I ask your age? I ask because even though the phenomenon of PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) is usually related to advancing age (your chances of having had it are about the same as your age, percentage-wise) it can occur in younger people too. I've often asked myself.. if this is so common a thing, why does nobody ever mention it, or why does the optometrist never tell you, once you reach "that age", that it might happen? I don't know. lol Maybe because most people have no symptoms at all when it occurs. Why are WE the lucky ones? ;)

In April I was diagnosed with PVD in both eyes. This is not the scary thing it sounds... it's an entirely normal part of aging in which the gel inside the eye becomes more liquid and separates from the back of the eye. It causes floaters and flashes, mostly.. and lots of other odd effects that I've found, such as increased light sensitivity...but ever since it happened I too have had the nightly light show you describe. I've had my eyes dilated and thoroughly examined three times, to monitor the progression of the condition, and was pronounced clear of any abnormalities each time. So I have had to learn to accept my phosphenes and have learned to ignore them, which was easier once I was told there was nothing "wrong" with my eyes.

My own interpretation of these things is that my retinas are more sensitive now, perhaps light is affecting them differently or more intensely, or the movement of the vitreous substance inside is making them react. I too see them in darker rooms and dim light as well as in bed at night. I do find that once I've lain still in the dark for about ten minutes, they subside sufficiently to allow me to fall asleep. Annoying as all get-out, but for me it's become an oh-well, could-be-worse sort of scenario.

I do suggest you have the optometrist look at your eyes to make sure... very very occasionally there can be retinal complications that need seeing to. But it's my bet that you'll have the same diagnosis I've had, and the same reassurance. The headaches, possibly, may come from anxiety over this, stress, or even eyestrain if you've become a bit more sensitised. Good luck, and good health to you! This too shall pass.

[countrygirl]

Benglacat has said what I was going to. If you are between 45-70 then vitreous detachment is a possibility. The clue is that you only see the flashes of light around the edge of your vision like lighting and only really when the light is low or its dark and only when you move your eyes. If it is this then this can last a few weeks as the detachment happens.

A optician should have picked this up if it was this though if he dilated your eyes with drops??

[SADnomore]

Here's what I think is a good link on the subject, moderated by a doc. Reassuring how many had these similar queries! http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Eye-Care/What-causes-phosphenes-when-eyes-are-open/show/1533129

I was in my thirties when I had my first experience like this. I knew nothing of the possibility, even, so of course I thought it was something very serious. As soon as it subsided enough to see to drive, I went immediately to an ophthalmologist's office and asked to be seen on an emergency basis. That's when I found out it was what was then called an "optical migraine", whereas I did not have pain, just the "lightshow". Mine completely obscure my vision, with the dancing flashing coloured shapes all the way round and snow in the middle. He explained that the aura doesn't originate in the eye, actually, but in the brain, as a result of pressure due to the migraine. Absolutely nothing to worry about. I thought it was incredible that I got no pain with it, and have been grateful for that ever since. I got them a lot for several months, then since, only once or twice every few years. Always debilitating, but never painful.

I have had migraine headaches a couple of times in my life when I've had flu, no aura. When I had adjustments fairly early on with my antidepressant, maybe 3 months in and after an increase, I had a spate of them. I usually go to bed as soon as and take the maximum dosage of tylenol extra-strength (I can't take ibuprofen), and lay absolutely still in the dark for an hour. If the pain has subsided at least a little, then I take a sleeping pill and 9 times out of 10 it's better when I wake up. If it worsens, then no sleeping pill, I get up and head to the emergency department. Ditto if it is still there when I wake up or comes back next day, as advised there.

They have a little "cocktail" of migraine drugs, non-narcotic, plus Benadryl. I won't lie, even with the Benadryl, there is one med in it that would make the Dhali Lama anxious, I swear! Lol! But that passes, and I'm right as rain inside of an hour or so. Having something light to eat and a cup of strong tea kicks the rest of the fuzzies down the road. Honestly, I promise you won't care about the anxiety bit (EVERYONE gets it), it works so well and quickly against migraine.

And yes, I find it crazy how the painful kind never comes with the aura, and vice versa. I understand that it does though for some. Good luck with the specialist, and if he tells you it's not your eyes, it's your brain, that's a good thing, lol!

ps, I wear glasses and every optician I've ever seen has warned me about retinal detachment (very nearsighted) They always say it will come on suddenly and be just like looking through very heavy plastic wrap, and to get to the hospital without delay. Hasn't happened yet, but at least I know how I can tell that's it! Oh! And the flashes will ONLY be in one eye, the affected one,

[Emilym80]

Hi there,

I've actually had the same pulsating dot thing. To me, it looks like when you run very fast or something and can see your pulse sort of throbbing in your eyes, but localised to one or two dots.

My optometrist did a very thorough check and had no idea what was causing it. My doctor said it didn't sound like any pathology. I was getting it when exposing my eyes to drastic shifts in lighting (eg opening the blinds in the morning), getting up and down really quickly or sneezing. I also feel dizzy if I stand or sit too quickly. My doctor said that happens when people don't drink enough. So, sure enough, I've started drinking more water and it's pretty well gone away.

Hopefully drinking more water will get rid of it for you,
too. It's pretty annoying.

All the best :)

EDIT: my mum gets it too and she's very healthy so I don't think it's too much to worry to think.