Eye flashes

[itiswhatitis]

I just sat down and started getting flashes in my eyes for about 10 seconds. It freaked me out. I've had these flashes before but they never usually last more than 2 seconds. What could have caused this?

[NancyW]

I have 2 things that cause eye flashes.
1. Ocular migraine
2. Vitreal detachment

I am under an Opthamologist Retina Specialist's care to be sure I don't get a tear in my retina.

Also have warning signs of retinal tear or detachment. Shower of floaters. Black curtian moving across your eye. Worsening of flashes.

In my opinion, our eyes are precious and are worth extra care.

Flashing can be a normal part of the vitreous detachment and harmless however this normal event can also cause a tear.

Please, if it continues get it checked out.

[itiswhatitis]

I have 2 things that cause eye flashes.
1. Ocular migraine
2. Vitreal detachment

I am under an Opthamologist Retina Specialist's care to be sure I don't get a tear in my retina.

Also have warning signs of retinal tear or detachment. Shower of floaters. Black curtian moving across your eye. Worsening of flashes.

In my opinion, our eyes are precious and are worth extra care.

Flashing can be a normal part of the vitreous detachment and harmless however this normal event can also cause a tear.

Please, if it continues get it checked out.

I am short sighted and had an eye test in December. I might ask if I can have another one soon. So it doesn't sound like it's anything that could immediately hurt me? I get a lot of floaters too and have done for years. In my last few eye tests, apart from being very short sighted, they said my eyes were very healthy.

[NancyW]

If the flashes were not discussed at your last exam then I'd go back now.

Could all be fine but it's not something we can or should self diagnose. I was really afraid when I went but I was more afraid to ignore it.

[roseanxiety]

Posterior vitreous detachment is a normal part of aging for about 75% of people. It can cause flashes in the corners of your vision especially in low light .

[itiswhatitis]

Posterior vitreous detachment is a normal part of aging for about 75% of people. It can cause flashes in the corners of your vision especially in low light .

I'm 23 so I'm not sure if this applies to me, but I do definitely notice some flashes in lowlight and sometimes even "after images" (trails of things that go past my vision) I've talked to my opticians about the after images and they couldn't find anything wrong. I've had vertigo for a few days now, so I'm kind of worried that it's a brain tumour or something lol

[NancyW]

It's worth getting checked out so you can have peace of mind.

I opted to go straight to the big guns, Opthamologist Retina Specialist. I felt SO much better after seeing him.

He did mention that nearsighted people can have early detachment. I am very nearsighted.