Photopsia?

[Damian66]

Hi this is my first post on med help.

Over the last few days I have been experiencing a couple of sparkles at the very top of my visual field in one eye. They are brought on if I look up to the very top of my visual field and then slowly move my gaze down to my central vision.

They last 1 or 2 seconds and our only really viable against a bright blue sky or very well lit room. I guess I have a couple of questions

A) If this was Photopsia would it be present in all light conditions and actually easier to see in the dark?
B) I have some grey floaters in that eye could these sparkles be a clear floater at the very top of my visual field as when they sparkle they move and just like a floater you can get a good look at them!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

photospsia or flashing lights due to PVD and vitreous traction are extremely bright like a flashbulb going off in the eye or a bolt of lightening at midnight.

JCH MD

[Damian66]

Thanks for your response , a further quick question

Are true flashing lights very bright and obvious to the patient? Can they fix there gaze on the ?

Just this evening I thought I was seeing some flashes at the top of my vision in the dark but can't really tell  if I am or if maybe i just being overly aware.

I will visit an opthalmogist but would appreciate your expertise of patient experiences.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. The most common causes of photopsia is vitreous detachment due to posterior vitreous detachment and it is much more common in the dark or semi-dark.
2. It would be very unlikely this this is a floater.
3. Since this is a new problem I suggest you consult an ophthalmologist.
4. On the outside chance that you have new glasses or contacts sometimes this can be reflections off the back surface of glasses or edge of contacts.

JCHMD