Can See Flashes

If you have ever hit or been struck on your head, you probably saw stars or flashes of light medically known as PHOSPHENES. Phosphenes can be see when your eyes are either open or closed, often appear in the peripheral vision, and last for just a few seconds. Some people say these flashes look like shooting stars; others describe them as "a shower of sparkles."

The sensation of seeing flashing light is called Photopsia. Students, writers, and others who keep late or long hours sometimes experience photopsia when they are sleep-deprived or after pulling all-nighters. In addition to a whack on the head, sneezing or vigorously rubbing your eyes can set off a shower of these flashes.

Occasional flashes are normal and usually no cause for concern. Most flashes, like floaters, are a normal sign of aging. But persistent or frequent light flashes can be a sign of low blood pressure, especially if they occur after you stand up quickly. Light flashes can also be a harbinger of migraine headaches; in fact, they are the most common visual sign called an aura, of an impending migraine. Spasm of blood vessels in the brain cause these flashes.

Paradoxically, some migraine sufferers have a visual aura but not a headache. (Migraine do not always involve head pain.) In addition to eye flashes, this type of migraine sometimes called Opthalmic Migraine (silent migraine) can cause other visual disturbances, as well as nausea and nasal congestion. Some people with eye migraines do go on to have migraine headache years later.

An increase in flashes or flashes along with floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear, a retinal detachment, or an acute vitreous detachment, all of which require immediate medical attention. even when these conditions are treated, the flashes may persist for several months.