Flashes of Light

[msraven731]

Hello, for as long as I could remember I have been experiencing this flash of light coming down the sides of my face. I can see it coming down out the corners of my eyes. Is this common? Or is it a sign of something?

[dukey]

If you have had it "for as long as you can remember", I doubt it is a problem.

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

I agree that its hard to explain what that is but if its been their forever and doesn't change I wouldn't sweat it.

JCH MD

[AnnaE]

Both sides at once?

[msraven731]

No, it just does it randomly. It goes down either side... It like a light beam going down my face... Its not bright...

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

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[AnnaE]

My flashing lights on either side started in 2005. They were signs of PVD. My doctors did not even tell me what PVD was. PVD happens to everyone. In my case, it was a cause for concern, because I had multiple risks for retinal detachment. My big problems began 2 years later.

You have mentioned no myopia, lattice degeneration, family member with eye/retina problems. Sounds good, as the doctor and Dukey have said.

However, if you have not had an exam by and EYE MD in over a year, you should have a routine check now, and every year. Everyone should have this, so that one is assured that eyes are protected.

Have you had the lights for 2 years, 10 years?

[msraven731]

I say about 10 years... and I've had eye exams and no one ever said anything was wrong...

[AnnaE]

That's great. Then you need a routine, annual checkup from an eye MD, ophthalmologist.

[Victorpogi]

HI Anna,

I've been having Flashes of light ( arch ) in my rigt eye for almost 3 years now due to PVD.  I've been seen by Opthalmologist 4 times already ( jan 2010 being te latest) and they said my retina is fine. May I ask, did you actually have a retinal detachment after 2 years? I'm just asking becuase inspite of the normal results of my eye exams I'm still afraid that I may suddenly develop the inevitable tear/detachment. Hoping for your kind response. Thank you.