What is flashes of light in the eye

The retina is a thin layer of tissue that receives light at the back of the eye. It processes the light from the lens to send impulses through the optic nerve to the brain.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology , most flashes occur when the vitreous body changes shape and pulls on the retina. Occasional flashes are usually harmless and may happen more with aging. However, visual disturbances can also result from eye trauma, such as a blow to the eye or rubbing the eye too hard, or a medical condition.

Seeing flashes of light is not usually a cause for concern. However, if this occurs regularly, a person should contact a doctor. Sometimes, flashes of light in the eye could signal a severe problem. The combination of sudden, repeated flashes with other visual disturbances could indicate vitreous detachment or a more severe condition.

Changes in the shape or position of the vitreous body are common and become more likely with age. A vitreous detachment can cause these flashes with floaters. Vitreous detachment is a condition wherein the vitreous body breaks away from the retina. There are currently no treatments for vitreous detachment associated with aging, and people tend to adapt to the flashes and floaters eventually. Vitreous detachment is not usually serious. However, it could have severe consequences, such as a hole or tear in the retina, for some people.

Tearing the retina can cause retinal detachment or bleeding in the eye. The symptoms can also include blurred or darkened vision. Cryotherapy and laser therapy are common and effective treatments for retinal tears. For some people, however, the tear causes no symptoms and requires no treatment. Eye trauma can also cause flashes in the corner of the eye. Trauma can put pressure on the retina, causing flashes. You may experience flashes of light and eye floaters at the same time.

Eye floaters are specks or blobs that appear and seem to move around in your field of vision. Floaters are caused by shadows cast by clumps of collagen that float in the vitreous gel-like substance in your eyeball. They are a common symptom of certain eye problems and may occur along with flashes of light. Common causes of eye floaters and flashes of light are: PVD, a retinal tear and retinal detachment.

To find the cause of flashing lights in the eyes, an eye doctor may conduct a comprehensive eye exam , including ophthalmoscopy also called fundoscopy or a fundoscopic exam.

The doctor will examine the back of the eyes with a special light to check for retinal tears, detachment and other issues. Your eyes may need to be dilated with eye drops for this exam. Remember, seeing flashing lights in your eyes could indicate a detached retina or other serious problem in the eye and you should visit your eye doctor without delay. Home Conditions Photopsia.

By Allie Johnson. Schedule an exam Find Eye Doctor. These flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months.

As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes. If you notice the sudden appearance of flashes, you should visit your ophthalmologist immediately because it could mean that the retina has been torn. Floaters and flashes become more common as we grow older. While not all floaters and flashes are serious, you should always have a medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist to make sure there has been no damage to your retina.

Floaters can be caused by normal aging of the eye when the vitreous jelly begins to shrink. Other causes of floaters include the sudden release of blood cells from the retinal blood vessels or pigmented cells from underneath the retina into the vitreous jelly. This can occur with the tearing of the retina. It is not always possible to distinguish between the causes of new floaters in the eye, which is why it is essential to have an immediate ophthalmologic examination to look for retinal holes or tears.

Aging is a large risk factor for new floaters. People who are very nearsighted high myopes are at greater risk of developing floaters earlier in life and are also at a greater risk of a retinal tear or detachment.

However, if large floaters are in your central vision and affect your quality of life a retinal surgery , called a vitrectomy, may be performed to remove them. During vitrectomy surgery, your retina surgeon will remove your floaters—and the vitreous gel that causes them—from the center of your eye with microscopic instruments. The vitreous gel does not need to be replaced; clear fluid produced by the front of the eye will fill the area where the gel used to be.

Depending on the individual treatment plan, a bubble of air or gas may be placed in the eye after surgery, which disappears with time. Floaters can also be treated by a laser procedure called YAG vitreolysis.