Have you noticed flashes/lighting spreads in your field of vision of your eye and wondered what’s going on? Flashes of light in corner of eye are a type of photopsia or vision disturbance.
Flashes of light can happen in one or both of your eyes and have different shapes, colors, frequencies, and durations depending on the causes. This is due to a variety of causes.
In this blog, let’s take a look at the reasons behind light flashes in your eyes in more detail, as well as what you can do to prevent them.
Causes
Photopsia/flashes is an important symptom of a vitreoretinal disease potential causes of flashes of light in the eye includes:
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD):
It is a condition that occurs when the vitreous, a gel-like substance that fills the middle of the eye, separates from the retina, the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye. This separation can cause flashes of light in the corner of your eye, which may be more noticeable when you move your eyes or when you are in a dark room. PVD is a common occurrence, especially in people over the age of 60.
Retina Tear/ Hole:
Associated with any peripheral degeneration lesions.
Retinal detachment:
This is a serious condition in which the retina (the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye) gets separated from the layer of blood vessels that provides it with nutrients and oxygen. Flashes of light can be a symptom of retinal detachment, along with floaters (specks or strings that appear to float in front of the eye) and a shadow or veil over part of the visual field.
Flashes of light in your eye may not necessarily be caused by an eye-related issue. It may be a symptom of a different health condition such as:
- Migraine: Flashes of light can also be a symptom of a migraine headache. Migraine headaches are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as a throbbing headache, sensitivity to light and sound, visual aura nausea.
- Diabetes: Flashes of light or floaters can be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy.
- Occipital epilepsy: Occipital epilepsy is a neurological disorder that arises from excessive neural activity in the occipital lobe of the brain that may or may not be symptomatic.
- Tumors: Flashes can be produced by tumors in various parts of the eyes or brain when your head or neck is moved.
When to See a doctor
- Sudden flashes of light, especially when you look to the side
- Partial vision loss or darkened vision
- Floaters
- Blurred vision
- Other sudden vision-related problems
Treatment for Flashes of Light in Corner of Eye
The treatment for flashes of light in the corner of the eye will depend on the underlying cause of the flashes.
- In some cases, no treatment may be necessary if the flashes are caused by a benign condition such as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). In other cases, treatment may be necessary to address the underlying cause of the flashes and prevent further vision loss.
- In some cases, surgery may be necessary to address the underlying cause of the flashes. For example, if the flashes are caused by a retinal detachment, surgery may be necessary to repair the detachment and prevent further vision loss.
If you are experiencing flashes of light in the corner of your eye, it is important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible as these could be a sign of a more serious eye condition that requires treatment. The eye doctor will examine your eyes and may perform additional tests to determine the cause of the flashes and recommend the appropriate treatment. A regular follow-up and evaluation should be a must in such eye.
