Aa
When I blink I sometimes see a flashing light/spot
It's only when I blink and it just started out of the blue today.
I actually immediately called my MD Ophthalmologist who told me to come in to make sure it was not a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Got my eyes dilated. He looked thoroughly at my eyes, so much so I don't think I've ever had since a comprehensive exam.
After he was finished he said he did not see anything at all that is cause for concern, no retinal tear, no retinal detachment, he didn't even see Posterior vitreous detachment though he said it could be the beginning of that, which is common and not serious. However, he said again he usually sees a sign of that and didn't see one.
He said it could be an ocular migraine. I asked him if could be something like a stroke and he said no, that would cause vision loss, not like a flash.
I am relieved that my eye exam was completely normal and I am reassured because this MD ophthalmologist was thorough and really detailed and kind when speaking to me. He talked to me about warning signs of when to return but my symptom now is nothing serious in the least.
But what could this be? It is very annoying. It's just when I blink and usually when my eyes are looking up like toward the ceiling and the flash/dot will come and enter my field of vision then leave again. It is annoying!
I actually immediately called my MD Ophthalmologist who told me to come in to make sure it was not a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Got my eyes dilated. He looked thoroughly at my eyes, so much so I don't think I've ever had since a comprehensive exam.
After he was finished he said he did not see anything at all that is cause for concern, no retinal tear, no retinal detachment, he didn't even see Posterior vitreous detachment though he said it could be the beginning of that, which is common and not serious. However, he said again he usually sees a sign of that and didn't see one.
He said it could be an ocular migraine. I asked him if could be something like a stroke and he said no, that would cause vision loss, not like a flash.
I am relieved that my eye exam was completely normal and I am reassured because this MD ophthalmologist was thorough and really detailed and kind when speaking to me. He talked to me about warning signs of when to return but my symptom now is nothing serious in the least.
But what could this be? It is very annoying. It's just when I blink and usually when my eyes are looking up like toward the ceiling and the flash/dot will come and enter my field of vision then leave again. It is annoying!
Forgot to mention - if you Google the term 'Amsler Grid' you will get a graph you can print out and use to help keep tabs on your vision. Just print this out and follow the online instructions about how long and at what distance to look at it, first with one eye covered and then using the other eye.
It won't do much for the bright spot, but if you check your eyes by looking at it once each week or so, you can trace whether any other vision symptoms appear that might be more subtle than the spot. You might also go back to the ophthalmologist for a checkup another time or two, or until your symptom has abated. Good luck!
It won't do much for the bright spot, but if you check your eyes by looking at it once each week or so, you can trace whether any other vision symptoms appear that might be more subtle than the spot. You might also go back to the ophthalmologist for a checkup another time or two, or until your symptom has abated. Good luck!
You are very welcome. Sometimes it helps just to read from others who are experiencing the same symptoms as you, even if not everybody gets a concrete answer right away about what could be going on w/ their eyes.
I know that it's hard to ignore a symptom you see every time you blink your eye. I hope that it will go away in time...or at least that you will find it less annoying after a while. Good luck!
I know that it's hard to ignore a symptom you see every time you blink your eye. I hope that it will go away in time...or at least that you will find it less annoying after a while. Good luck!
flossy, you are so kind to reply. I thank you very much for your response and information. I will use the search engine to read about what others have experienced and thank you for the reassurance about my complete eye exam. I will certainly look out for more symptoms.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
2 Comments
Are you still active on this platform Mich??
There have been numerous posts from others with this same symptom on this forum. Reading through these may help you.
To search for this topic, use the 'Search' box at the upper right and enter 'Bright spot when blinking' and press Enter; you will see the threads/comments. I hope it will help you to see that you are far from alone with this problem.
From reading these posts over time, it sounds like there can be more than one cause of this symptom. Some patients never do get a diagnosis for what causes their bright flash when blinking.
The fact that you had a very thorough dilated retina exam without any findings is positive. You should continue to monitor your vision carefully. If you develop any new symptoms, please return to the retina specialist for further evaluation.
To search for this topic, use the 'Search' box at the upper right and enter 'Bright spot when blinking' and press Enter; you will see the threads/comments. I hope it will help you to see that you are far from alone with this problem.
From reading these posts over time, it sounds like there can be more than one cause of this symptom. Some patients never do get a diagnosis for what causes their bright flash when blinking.
The fact that you had a very thorough dilated retina exam without any findings is positive. You should continue to monitor your vision carefully. If you develop any new symptoms, please return to the retina specialist for further evaluation.
What started out of the blue today was when I would blink a flash (like a camera flash) spot shows up in my field of vision but acts sort of like a floater in that it will move out of my field of vision eventually. But when I blink hard again, the flash/spot can come back and same thing happens, within seconds it will leave my field of vision again only to return.
This started suddenly today. I was having a cat scan done at the hospital early this afternoon and when I was checking in, I noticed this with my vision. It has existed ever since.
This started suddenly today. I was having a cat scan done at the hospital early this afternoon and when I was checking in, I noticed this with my vision. It has existed ever since.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Please read your post. I do not understand your first sentence. What started out of the blue.
Dr. O.
Dr. O.
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