Flashing Lights and Eye Twitches

[momoftwins320]

I have been having flashes of light in both eyes. It only lasts for about 10 minutes or so, then goes away. It happened today while I was driving and I couldn't see anything. It starts out around the outside of things that I am focusing on, and then over the next few minutes takes on my entire site of vision. It's almost like camera flashes over and over again and it starts by bordering what I am focusing on, and gradually closes in over my entire vision. (When I close my eyes, the flashes are still there too). I don't really have migraines, but it seems that right after this happens, I get a headache. Not severe, but once I am able to focus without seeing spots, I get a tinge of a headache, and I actually get tired too. Any suggestions? I don't have insurance and honestly I don't have a lot of money, but would love to figure out what is going on with me. I am not sure, but my eyes have both been twitching like crazy lately - the top lid of my eye. I am not sure if this is related or not, but it drives me nuts.

[26245]

As for the flickering lights, there's nothing to be worried about, it's a very common disorder, I've had the same problem on and off for 20 years now... plus floaters and myopia and cataract as well now, but this migraine related thing has been getting better later, less frequent episodes, say less than one per month, and no real migraine, just the scintillations lasting ca 25 minutes. For a more extensive explanation you may read this: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm.
As for the twitching I have no insight and no advice, except hoping it gets better once you realize that the lights are quite harmless. Ciao !

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

This is part of a migraine syndrome. You may need migraine treatments. Avoiding caffeine and cigarette smoke may help. So may avoiding certain fragerances. The twitching is related to dry eye syndrome and artificial tear drops (OTC) along with omega 3 supplements may help.
Sincerely,
Timothy D. McGarity, M.D.