Flashing Lights in Eyes
Sometimes our retina suffers from some trauma or damage, and this causes us to see flashing lights in eyes. Though it is an alarming phenomenon, we should wait for a few days before panicking. This is something that afflicts everyone, and in most cases, it simply fades away after a couple of days.
These flashing lights in eyes when closed or open are also known as eye floaters by doctors and medical experts, and they appear as tiny spots, flecks or cobweb like shapes that follow our line of vision no matter where we look. The size of these flashes vary from time to time, and some of them are just tiny, barely visible spots while sometimes it takes the form of giant vision obstructing flashes.
Causes of Flashing Lights in Eyes
There are a few well-known reasons for these flashing lights, and any of them could be the culprit in case of a serious condition.
Vitreous Detachment
The gel like fluid that is present inside our eyes is known as the vitreous, and sometimes this liquid can get over-thinned. This usually happens with age, and as a result of this the vitreous actually shifts away from the retina, thus leading to either a lack of vision, or an obstructed vision. This vitreous detachment happens to everyone as they approach 60 years of age, but some people go through it earlier due to some external trauma. The effect this has on the individual is that he/she sees eye floaters and flashes of light in their line of vision, especially when they move their eyes fast.
Tear in Retina
This is a condition that usually accompanies vitreous chamber detachment from retina, and is another very common cause for flashing lights in eyes. In most cases, retinal tear is the direct consequence of some external trauma, and the symptoms are accompanied by visible traces of debris or blood. Maintaining good methods of eye care and eye protection can help curb this problem to a certain extent.
Eale's Disease
The exact causes of Eale's disease are unknown, but as a result of this the individual suffers from inflammation of the retinal vessels and hemorrhages in the retina. The effects of this are quite difficult to cure, and it can leave one's vision severely obstructed. Eale's disease most commonly affects males between 30 - 50 years.
Uveitis
There are many common eye problems and disorders that can be classified as uveitis, but basically all these disorders affect the back portion of the eye. This means that the retina, choroid and optic nerves are susceptible to inflammation and damage. There are a large number of causes for uveitis, and this is something that takes some time to cure.
Entopic Phenomenon
This is a phenomenon that results in a person observing flashing lights in eyes right after staring a bright object like the sun or a bulb or tube-light. Some people mistake it for a medical disorder, but this is in fact a harmless phenomenon that occurs as a result of White Blood Cells (WBCs) in the capillaries of the retina.
The most common flashing lights in eyes symptoms include seeing white spots or bright spots wherever one looks, unnatural watering of eyes, intense headaches and migraines and blurred vision. All these symptoms can be cured over time by visiting an ophthalmologist. He will examine your eyes, study your medical history and then suggest some suitable form of eye floaters treatment and eye floaters cure for you. In some cases an individual may require laser eye surgery to fix the problem, but in most scenarios the condition simply fades away after a few days. If you have been experiencing this problem for more than a few days, then you must take notice and visit a doctor.
If you have suddenly started seeing flashing lights in eyes at night then you should be aware that it could be a retinal tear. This must not be taken lightly, as ignoring it could lead to serious and permanent damage. You must observe the phenomenon for a few days and note everything you can before deciding your next step.
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