Occasional white light flash in my peripheral vision

[el_bubu]

I am seeing an intermittant flash of white light in my left peripheral vision that looks like a moving circle or C.  I can see it with my eye open or closed and it seems to be worse at times.  Sometimes I don't notice it, but if I am in a dark ambient environment, I can sometimes see it flash every few seconds.  Sometimes I don't notice it at all.  I am 47 y.o. and it just started a few months ago.  Any ideas?

[ziggymaxx]

Thank you all for posting! I have finally found a place where there are so many people with symptoms I have had for 4 years. My doctor had no idea what my lights were. He said they were an "anomaly". I feel scared enough without him saying that.
I have the same lights in both eyes that go up and down in a half circle on the outside edges. I had my retinas checked in both eyes to make sure I didn't have a tear or detachment. I am 60 years old with a broken back, hep. C from a transfusion from surgeries on my back and a migraine sufferer for 20 years.
What I do for my lights is I close my eyes tightly for 10 or 15 seconds a few times and it seems to make the lights go away for a while when they are annoying me.
Since my back is so messed up from breaking it and having to have fusion on 5 vertebrae in the "T" section I am going to try chiropractic on the "C" section up near my neck to see if that helps. Plus, drink a lot more water for hydrating my eyes.

[vgolub]

Update: Here's an update I promised. Symptoms that started last Monday have now subsided by today (Saturday). During this time I worked at my computer as a software developer, used eye wash - the kind used for contact lense wearers by Baurch+Lomb (Advanced eye relief eye wash). I also stopped drinking diet colas if that was doing anything. Not sure if I had an eye injury, or as the optometrist suggested a retinal edma (swelling)..

[vgolub]

I'm 55 and I have the same symptoms many of you describe, except for me it starts when I move my eye to the left or right. In a darkened room it's very noticeable. a very 'thin' bright arc on the outer edge of the vidion in my left eye. My theory is movement puts more pressure on the muscles or outer edge of the eye and causes what I describe as an 'orbiting electron' effect.  I can also 'simulate it by pressing on my eye in certain places (not advised). Some times I see a half circle in my left eye far left vision field, other times it's a full circle on far edge of my left eye.

Saw an Optometrist and retina was good with a laser scan and photos, though she diagnosed me with a possible retinal edema (swelling) of underlying layer of retina. Why is it swollen? she said stress can cause it. She also said she had rarely seen people with this and they were mostly 'men'.  

But I also have a another theory now after reading all your posts. Possible food related? (I drink diet Dr. Pepper alot). or 2) Nerve issue in neck.  3) Pimple on inside of eyelid that hurts possibly causing eye pressure when moving eye.

I too hurt my neck a year ago in C4/C5 area while bike riding. Disc slowly healed with VAX-D and chiropractic care but recently went in to see her again for lower back issue. She did adjust my neck with those dropping 'adjuster' table for neck area...hmm?  Using 'eye wash' like the kind used for contact lense users seem to help me get through the day at the moment.  I've only had this three days now.  Will post an update later to let you know how I'm doing if it helps anyone else.

[lexei25]

Thank you for posting. I am 60 and had these flashes and floaters for 2 months. Eye exam with tests and dilating  had costed me $400 but the doctor did not identify the cause, although said that the retina was intact. I was ready to go to another ophthalmologist, but will skip for now after reading your post. I have another symptom that started recently, like sticky eye lids. It is on the same eye that has flashes and floaters. Just wonder if anybody has that also.

[kayers43]

more than 10 years ago I was dx with retinal migraines....round fluorescent lights either in one or both eyes...last about 15 minutes and then go away.  recently I've noticed a flash of white light in my left upper periphery.  so afraid of strokes I'm thinking I'll be going to check with doctor soon.  

[eskimomama4]

I have had ocular migraines, but I also experience the white flashes. For me, they are 2 different events. The ocular migraine in my case, can be seen whether my eyes are open or closed. and tends to looks like a spinning movement, and not necessarily in the peripheral. The white flashes, are at the FAR peripheral, to a point where I actually turn my head, thinking there is something there. No headache with either. I haven't seen a dr about the white flashes, as they just recently started, maybe a month ago. Ocular migraines, in my case, always occurred if I forgot to take my birth control pill, and doubled up on it. I no longer take the birth control, and have not had one since.