Flashing eyes are a sign of what disease?

Flashing eyes is a condition of seeing flashes of light or photopsia. They can appear as streaks of light like lightning, flashes of light, floating shapes, light spots… Usually, this is a result of the aging process, when the vitreous shrinks and separates from the back of the eye due to posterior vitreous detachment. In some cases, it can also be a warning sign of certain health problems.

Posterior vitreous detachment: This happens when the fluid in the eye begins to shrink with age, which can stretch the retina’s sensitivity to light, causing flickering.

Retinal detachment or tear: These cases are likely to occur if there is fluid leaking behind the retina. Scar tissue on the retina stretches this posterior area, leading to flashes, which can cause the retina to separate from the back of the eye.

Hematoma in the eye due to diabetic retinopathy: Blood leaking from blood vessels can cause scarring on the retina, leading to flickering or even retinal detachment.

Histoplasmosis: Lung infections can spread to the eyes, causing vision problems and a feeling of flashing lights.

Transient ischemic attack: Blood flow in the brain is temporarily blocked, causing a stroke and stroke-like symptoms.

Choroidal neovascularization: The growth of abnormal blood vessels in the choroid layer of the eye, which can leak fluid and blood, causing damage to the retina, leading to vision loss, blurred vision, and flashes of light.

Seizures: This is a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that affects the optic nerve, causing a feeling of light flashing inside the eye.

HIV: HIV weakens the immune system by attacking CD4 cells, which increases the risk of infection and eye complications, which can affect vision.

Damage to the optic nerve: This nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. If damaged, it can cause vision of light in the eye.

Medicine: Some medications that treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases have also been linked to flashes.

Occasionally seeing flashes of light in the eyes may not require treatment. However, if this condition appears frequently, you should go to an eye specialist for examination and appropriate treatment advice.