Flickering in peripherals in bright light

[Igpajo]

This is a problem that doesn't happen all that often to me but it's something I'm very curious about.   I do plan on getting into the eye doctor for a check up soon and will ask about this then, but I'm just curious to see if this is a problem others know about.  It usually only happens when I'm very tired, or have just woken up from a long sleep.  Today, I'm getting over from a brief bout with stomach flu which resulted in a lot of naps and hanging out in bed watching TV in a dark room.  
But what happens is when I step into a room where there is bright sunlight coming in a window, or if I step outside into the sun, I see a flickering and strobing in the very outer edges of my peripheral vision.  There's no pain or headache involved with the problem, although I have had a headache today but I always have headaches when I get the stomach flu.

Does this sound like just a result of tired muscles in the eyes or could this be a problem I need to look into more.  

FYI, I am a month shy of my 40th birthday, male, and have no real health problems.  My eye sight has generally been 20/20 but at my last eye exam, about 2 years ago, my doctor said I may need reading glasses sometime in the next few years.

[Memahaffey]

I had similar symptoms, though mine also would happen when I went from light to dark - -   Only in the nasal peripheral of my right eye.  A month later I had a retinal detachment . .   could be the beginning of that as well so I agree, see the Opthamologist, and look up AMSLER GRID on the web and take a look at that too!  I saw squiggly lines very early on . . .

thanks
mark

[Igpajo]

Thanks for the info.  I'll look into ophthalmic migraines and ask about them when I have my check up.  

[JohnHaganMD]

Flickering and stobe light appearance in the peripheral vision, especially if they are visible even with the eyes shut, are strongly suggestive of ophthalmic migraine (often it has no headache with it). Many migraine patients have 'triggers' which can be foods, fluids, stress. Some have "light" triggers perhaps you're one of them.Tired eye muscles should not be a factor.

You should follow through with your plan to see an ophthalmologist (Eye physician MD)


JCH Eye MD