Flashes in peripheral vision in one eye?

[Cliff Rogers]

Only noticed it over the last three nights, only in dim lighting like night driving or walking with a torch.

Haven't been welding.

Haven't had bright lights flashed in my eyes.

Any ideas?

I tried googling but no luck apart from a book or a movie or a stage play of some sort & one Chinese medicine remedy that says it will fix it, along with a whole pile of other things like warts etc. :rolleyes:

[batcat]

I had a similar experience years ago with 'flashing'.
Doctor sent me straight off to eye surgeon as it can be a sympton of a torn retina.
Fortunately mine wasnt a tear and settled down itself.
However both doc & surgeon were adamant that if it happened again to not delay in going back.
I tend to avoid doctors but hey eyesight is important.

edit/ try googling, 'torn retina flashing lights'

[DavidG]

See a doctor real soon.
Any eye problems should be taken seriously.

[silentC]

Yes get yourself to a doctor Cliff. An ex-girlfriend's old man had that and it was a detached retina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detached_retina). He was too late getting something done about it and now has a glass eye. Not kidding, mate, go get it checked out TODAY!!

[Cliff Rogers]

Ta, no chance of seeing a Doc up here TODAY.
I'll see what I can arrange down in Cairns tomorrow.

[zelk]

Hi Cliff,
Have it checked out. The gel that fills the cavity of the eye becomes more like liquid and mobile with age, it can pull away off the inner lining (retina) of the eye, triggering a flash sensation, this is quite harmless, however, if there happens to be a weak spot in the retina close by, a tear can result and this can lead to a retinal detachment, not good. Generally, the flashes can occur in each eyes at different times, if you get the same symptoms later in the other eye, have it checked out, don't assume there is no detachment. If there's no doctor, see an optometrist.
Zelk

[Ernie47]

Gedday Cliff,
same thing happened to me a couple of months ago (when I blinked). Freaked me out. Went to the Doc & then a specialist. It was what Zelk said. The flash has gone, but I still can't tell if they are mozzies buzzing around or just 'floaties'.
I tried blinking without closing my eyes to see if I could project the light so I wouldn't need a torch. Couldn't quite perfect the tecnique!
Ernie.
P.S. Not sure if I liked the explanation "It's an age thing!"

[Cliff Rogers]

Beauty, thanks blokes.

Spoke to Dr's receptionist, they can give a referral but they said to ring all the ophthalmologists first & find out which one can see me first.
The first one I rang said something similar to what zelk just said.
They also said to get to an optometrists with a slit lamp & have them inspect the retina & if it looks like it is damaged or coming away, they will get me into an ophthalmologists as an emergency patient to have laser surgery.

I've got an appointment at Atherton at 1:50 today.

[zelk]

Gedday Cliff,
same thing happened to me a couple of months ago (when I blinked). Freaked me out. Went to the Doc & then a specialist. It was what Zelk said. The flash has gone, but I still can't tell if they are mozzies buzzing around or just 'floaties'.
I tried blinking without closing my eyes to see if I could project the light so I wouldn't need a torch. Couldn't quite perfect the tecnique!
Ernie.
P.S. Not sure if I liked the explanation "It's an age thing!"

Ernie,
The mozzies you describe are usually floaters that occur with the flashes relating to the Posterior Vitreous Detachment condition, they are no doubt annoying and unfortunately there is no treatment, you have to learn to ignore them. A word of warning, should the number floaters increase in number and size, go and get it checked out immediately.
Zelk

[Ernie47]

Thanks Zelk,
the Specialist also said if you see lots of flashes all over, it could be a sign of bleeding so get it checked NOW!!
Ernie.

[batcat]

Beauty, thanks blokes.

I've got an appointment at Atherton at 1:50 today.

Good man, good luck!

[Cliff Rogers]

All clear. http://theblokeyshed.com/forums/images/smilies/clapping.gif

Just getting old he says.... http://theblokeyshed.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

He says the gel in the eye shrinks & can move around & as it pulls away from the retina, it causes a sensation that is perceived as a flash of light. http://theblokeyshed.com/forums/images/smilies/th_smiley_electrocute.gif

This is what a couple of you blokes said already so I tend to believe him. :2tsup: :p

I had drops put in my eyes at about 2:15 yesterday day & I was finding it hard to see last night.... this morning, they are still a bit sensitive to bright light... http://theblokeyshed.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif

Maybe I should go back to bed. :D

[Honorary Bloke]

Maybe I should go back to bed. :D

Maybe you should stay in bed. Keep from jiggling your eyeball. It's a known scientific fact that you only get older when you are out of bed. In bed, time stands still. Stave off old age--be a slugabed. :D:rolleyes::D

[Cliff Rogers]

Bob, does your tongue flash? :?

[namtrak]

I'm blind in one eye (courtesy of a knife fight), and as a ten year ritual I head upto the Sydney Eye hospital to see (so to speak) what can be done about it.

Last time I went, about 10 years ago, they gave me this dye stuff which fully dilates the pupil until it is the size of the iris. This lets them in to have a look around, but there are a couple of side effects. One, it is almost unbearable to be out in sunlight but two and more importantly, it makes your wee a bright (very bright) incandescent yellow. So that afternoon, after the tests I went up to Ourimbah to catch up with a mate at the Tall Timbers, and sadly he was in having a wizz with me, when out come this flouro wee. Well, being the discrete and responsible friend he immediately walked out into the pub and yelled out that everyone had to watch me take a leak. For the rest of the night I had a crowd of onlookers everytime I took a leak, by the end of the night I think there were a couple of girls in checking things out as well - all very Australian really!!

[silentC]

They put dye in your eye and it made your wee yellow? Are you taking the pyss again?

[namtrak]

Seriously. I can't remember if it is was dye in my eye or injection or drink but it was something.


Google is your friend

....."When fluorescein dye is injected into your arm, you may notice a metallic taste in your mouth, mild nausea, and a brief sensation of warmth.

After the test, your skin, the whites of your eyes, and your urine may be bright yellow or orange, but these effects wear off in 24 to 48 hours.

Because of the dilating eyedrops, your vision may be blurred, and your eyes may be sensitive to light for up to 12 hours. Avoid bright light and sunshine. Wear dark glasses when you go outside."......

[zelk]

Cliff,
good to hear that it's all OK, just remember, if it happens to the other eye, you'll have to go through the same process again.
Cheers,
Zelk

[Honorary Bloke]

Bob, does your tongue flash? :?

Every day of my life. :D:D

[bsrlee]

Of course, living at high altitudes can also result in ''flashes" - caused by cosmic rays hitting the optic nerve. This was 'discovered' by NASA astronauts on the early orbital flights - no atmosphere to soak up most of the particles, so more flashes, also reported by regular mountain climbers.

So Cliff, you'd better head for the coast :roll:

[Allan at Wallan]

Had what I perceive to be the same problem
a few years ago. The flash was often painful
like a sharp jab.

Thankfully it only lasted a couple of weeks and
has never occurred again.

Hope your condition is only temporary like mine
and you regain your regular sight.

Allan

_____________________________________

I am not at all worried about dying
... but just hope I am not there at the time.

[davo453]

The Mrs (SWMBO) had a similar thing, flashes in the eye and all and a twitch too.

Doctor said "it's a migraine without the headache" and changed her birth control pill. The problem stopped on day one.

Maybe the doc will do the same with you Cliff :2tsup:



Dave :D