Blepharitis and flashes

Please go and see an optician/optomotrist asap.  I have had blepharitis for many years and had the flashes a couple of summers ago.  I thought it was just a migraine on its way but then saw what I can only describe as a thumb print which moved across my vision every now and again.  It turned out that I have posterior vitreous detachment - usually only old people get this but eye problems like the dreaded blepharitiis can bring it on at an early stage.  I'm not trying to be alarmist but please get it checked - your eyes are so precious.  I was very lucky because the flashes can be signs of other, more serious, eye problems.  Equally, an eye doctor may tell you that all is well and that'll put your mind at rest.  If you're in the UK, beware, as many opticians won't want to see you if you mention flashing lights - they panic at the amount of paperwork involved in sending you to the hospital!  I had a right time of it!  My usual optician of 20 years "couldn't find an appointment" for me!!  I eventually found one who would see me and he explained the reason why others wouldn't - paperwork!

 

Be carefull when looking into bright light when coming from a darker environment . i too had the flashes and we've put that down to possible overuse of eyeball movement interferring with the insides of the eyeball . Try pointing your nose at anything that you want to look at to give the eyeballs a rest for a while .

If you are in UK your GP on the National Health ought to refer you to the Eye Hospital.  Optician's generally would want a second opinion I would think and this condition should not be ignored. Good luck

Dear Gabriela; i strongly support Haircrazydaisy and Winifred. Flashes when changing from light to dark environments are a sign of a tear or a detachment in the retina. I had that twice and also the 'thumb print' which is called a floater but there was no need for treatment as it was not much. I was lucky, my husband had a similar experience and he had a proper retina detachment. His eyesight was saved with an operation thanks to the doctor who recognized  it before it completely detached. So sorry for the bad news but make sure it is properly diagnosed. The reason for the tear or detachment is to be farsighted since that means the eyeball is shaped rather as a rugby ball, instead of a football, and that creates tensions in the retina which may snap.

By the way my Blepharitis seems gone, I only use the heat/massage/Wet Ones treatment occationally and all is well. I also use Optrex sometimes, very refreshing and convenient but only as an additional treatment .

So sorry Gabriela, when I said farsighted I meant shortsighted. I haven't been able to focus on the distance since childhood and that is what eventually caused the tear. When that happened I didn't suffer from blepharitis which cannot affect the eyesight, as I have been assured by several doctors and opticians.

I am so happy,dear Gabriela, that all is well, and do not blame yourself, the flashes are a weird experience . Now that you have been reasured relax and enjoy life, which I know is difficult to do sometimes. I have been working hard too and my left eye twitches after I have been at the computer, I was told it is tiredness, but why only one eye? One of those mysteries.

The best  of luck