Intermittent flashes over time

I've had couple of migraines and a bout of a cluster headache, all as
separate instances, over 20 years ago. I've occasionally had wavy vision
prodrom in one eye, but no headache.

I'm now experiencing an interesting flashing in one eye for the last 24
hours for which I'm hoping you folks can give me some help. Let me describe
it:

Onset occurred yesterday afternoon just after I finished my weight lifting
exercises at the gym. No undue exercise stress that I can relate to the
flashing onset. I am 64 and in great shape and health. The flashes occur
as a thin black 1/4 circle arc, or as a 1/4 circle arc that a white light
transverses, in the upper left quadrant of my left eye. I actually see a
1/4 circle that the bright white light travels or the 1/4 circle black arc.
The frequency of these flashes is intermittent. They may occur in ones,
twos, or threes over a period of seconds, and then stop. This morning I had
them upon awakening and then they went away while I was fishing for 6 hours.
Started intermittently when I got home. Saw some floaters this morning, but
none now. No impairment of vision. No headache or pain. Can't see flashes
when eye is closed and didn't bother me when I went to sleep last night.
However, there is a very slight sensation around the affected eye, only when
I think about it (self-induced sensation, eh?).

I've read many threads related to flashing and migraine on Google Groups,
and I'm impressed that flashes related to migraine usually present for an
hour or less and precede the headache. I don't seem to be fitting this
pattern and would like to hear more from you folks who have a greater
knowledge base than I do.

Thanks,

Adam

 

Dear Adam,

I also had migraines when I was young.

I also had "flashes" as you describe them. I am 63
years old.

This is one of the indications of an incipient detached
retina. If caught in time it can be "stiched" with
a lazer.

I would suggest calling a "retina group" or an
ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Also look for "wavy lines" where you know they
are straight. Also a another effect of incipient
detached retina.

If nothing is found, breathe a sigh of relief.

Best,

Otis
Engineer

****

 

As others have suggested you need to rule out a retinal condition, and see an
opthamologist, sooner rather than later. That said, I've had a similar
condtion for many years in my left eye, a white crescent moving around the
edge of the field of vision, from about 8'oclock to 1 oclock over a period of
a couple of seconds. The problem is intermittent, not related to migranes, but
for me appears associated with stress, and is most common early and late in
the day. My situation is somewhat ambiguous because I have retinal damage in
that part of the eye, but stabilized with a scleral buckle. My retinologist
feels that the flashes are unrelated to that and may be neurological in
origin. I do notice that the more relaxed I am, the fewer flashes I
experience, so he may be right.

 

Adam,
The symptoms you describe are the classic signs of a Posterior Vitreous
Detachment, I would suggest that you see an eye specialist as soon as
possible, as there is a possibility that this could lead to a retinal tear
or detachment, which could seriously damage your sight.