The flashes of light you may see in your eyes are most likely to be white or sparkly, but colored lights happen, too. The flashes can take many shapes, including: Zigzag lines. Streaks of lightning.
Brief pops like flashbulbs going off. Sparks or flickering lights. Flashes that spin in circles.
Spots or thick lines. White snow or fuzz. Light flashes can happen in one or both of your eyes and have different shapes, colors, frequencies, and duration.
There are many causes for this. Flashing lights in the eyes can have various causes. Find out the complications, risk factors, when to see a healthcare provider, and more.
Photopsia is a symptom of several medical conditions that affect the structures inside the eye, the optic nerve, and even the brain. If symptoms get worse or appear suddenly, get emergency medical attention. Brief, repeated flashes that look like camera flashes inside one or both eyes usually mean the retina or optic pathway is being mechanically or electrically stimulated.
Common causes range from harmless vitreous "tugging" to sight-threatening retinal detachment and, less often, migraine aura or brain disorders. Any new, persistent flashing-especially with floaters, shadow, or vision loss. Types of Flashes The type of flashes experienced can help a doctor diagnose the potential cause of the condition.
Important factors include where the flash is occurring and in what light conditions. For example, the most common causes of photopsias cause flashes in one eye (unilateral photopsia). More rarely, a condition may cause flashing in both eyes (bilateral photopsia).
The area of your. Flashes of light in the eye are pinpricks or spots of light that you see in your field of vision. People often say seeing flashing lights in the eye is like seeing "shooting stars" or "lightning strea.
What causes flashes, and are these causes dangerous? Flashes can appear in a number of different forms, such as streaks of lightning, little twinkling specks of light, or zigzags. Flashes also have a number of causes, some more serious than others. One of these is migraine with aura.
Seeing occasional flashing lights in your eyes usually isn't an issue. But repeated flashes in the forms of bright spots, streaks of lightening, or shooting stars in the corner of your eye can indicate a serious medical condition. A prompt visit to an ophthalmologist or a retina specialist can prevent permanent vision loss.
Seeing flashes of light is a symptom of many different conditions. Learn when to see an eye doctor to find the cause and get treatment right away.