Eye flashes of light

Please do not worry yourself over those flashes of light. They can be due to normal retinal changes as we get older, and they often go away on their own. Although this usually happens starting in our 50's, sometimes it can happen a lot earlier.

I had flashes, and a few weeks later ended up having a retinal tear repaired, but it is a simple procedure done right in the ophthalmologist's office. I have no issues anymore. 

You say you saw an optometrist, but have you ween an ophthalmologist? They are better equipped to see what is going on. Those light flashes are WAY more likely to be something that is either easily fixed, or will go away on their own, than something like a tumor or aneurysm. Of course it is natural to fear the worst, and most of us are guilty of that. But please know that a few months from now this will probably be resolved and you will not even remember how worried you were.

Did your optometrist use the scleral depression tool? This is a small spoon-like tool that they put between your orbital bone and your eyeball, and they have you look in different directions while they manipulate/push your eyeball around so they can see your entire retina all the way out to the edges. It is uncomfortable, but worth having done. If your optometrist did this, you can probably trust what he/she says. If not, you need to demand to see an ophthalmologist. 

When I first had my flashes, I called the ask-a-nurse, she sent me to the emergency room, because in rare cases it can mean your retina is detaching. I went to the emergency room, and the doc sent me immediately to an emergency OPHTHALMOLOGIST. The ophthalmologist used the scleral depression tool, and didn't see any retinal tears but did see some lattice degeneration so he referred me to another ophthalmologist who is also a retina specialist. I needed to be watched, and I did end up having a tear a few weeks later which was promptly fixed. There was a bit of blurriness afterwards but all has cleared up now and is fine. 

So basically I stick to my original advice, demand to see an ophthalmologist, unless of course the optometrist did use the scleral depression too. If he/she did, you'd definitely remember!  

 not sure how old you are, but I am 60 and I spent the last year and 1/2 with flashing in one eye.  Opthomologists are the way to go.  I would make an appointment any way.

For me, it turned out to be a vitreous detachment, the separation of the vitreous sac that holds the fluid behind your eyes.  Very common in 50 and up.  No treatment and not serious.  Finally, after that year and 1/2 the flashing has subsided.  I am told my other eye should not be far behind from happening.

guess my point is, flashing could be from many things, not just the worst option.  Please see an opthomoligist and I think you will feel better mentally... good luck!  Linda 

Hi again Kin, Lindalou is right about the age factor and vitreous detachment. She is also correct that an ophthalmologist is the way to go. The vitreous detachment is also what started my flashes, and they did keep close tabs on me because I also had lattice degeneration. The vitreous detachment will happen to just about everyone, some with symptoms and some without. It is a normal age related change, and although it does generally start at age 50 and above it has been known to occur in people who are in their 30's and 40's as well. 

Please have your doctor refer you to an ophthalmologist, and do not settle for an optometrist. These things are generally nothing to worry about, and even if a retinal tear (or detachment) occurs, they are easily fixable if caught early. But it's better to be cautious.

My new advice is this....1) Still make that appointment with an ophthalmologist, have your doc refer you if your eye center does not want to comply. 2) If the flashes suddenly get worse, or if you have a darkness (referred to as a 'curtain' starting to come over your eye from one side or another, go to the ER. (The curtain is indicative of a retinal detachment.)

Again, those flashes are 'usually' nothing to worry about, but it still needs to be taken seriously. It sounds like your optometrist is not taking the situation seriously, especially since the scleral depression was not used during your exam. There is no way to see the entire retina without it!!

This explains the Scleral Depression exam and why it is needed: http://www.meadowsretina.com/optical-coherence-tomography-oct-1-1/

I have had flashing continuously in my left eye after being punched really hard in 2007. I have had flashes all the time for 10 years. I still have them. Over the course of years I have seen about 3 different retinal specialists and they have all nothing! They said I don't need an mri as it is.a.vitreous issue and NONE.will offer treatment! I have tried dealing with it forever and it seems.as if it will never go away on its own. I finally saw a doc recently that offered surgery and even she is hesitant to fix it. My life is passing me by and I am so sick and.so.tired from the flashes thst I don't know where to turn anymore. That's my story.