Flashes of light

[Myka01]

Has anyone ever experienced flashes of light in the outer corner of their eye? I see them when I turn over in bed, when I yawn, bend over, turn my head.. not every time, but sometimes. Also when I walk from from light to dark, and the other way around. I see one flash in one eye at a time. They're driving me crazy. I'm so scared it's because of a brain tumor... I've seen those flashes for 2 months now, every single day. I went to two eye doctors and both said my eyes are healthy. I also went to a neurologist and after examining my reflexes, coordination, etc. she also said I'm healthy. I'm thinking of getting an MRI... I'm really scared

 

[Cuchculan]

Most people would be happy to hear they are healthy. Do I ever see flashes of light? Might be the odd time, depending on what I am doing. Sitting at a computer. I might get up and I might see the light ( so to speak ). To me that is because of the monitor I had been looking at. Even if I read and see a flash of light I would put that down to the light in the room I am reading in. Plus people get floaters at times. Sort of like lights that float across their vision. Very common. But not harmful at all. Many normal things could be causing you to see what you see. From the simple light in your house. To daylight even. It does not always have to be doom and glooom. Easy to think that way. Especially if you have anxiety. So far you have seen two people and both thought you were fine. Could get the MRI done and find out you are fine. All about how many tests and people have to tell us we are fine before we accept it. have known people to have loads of tests done and never accepted the results.

 

[Aries]

I remember hearing about Cosmic ray visual phenomena. Those are spontaneous flashes of light visually perceived by astronauts outside the magnetosphere of the Earth. It's thought that it is from cosmic ray radiation directly interacting with the optic nerve.

I just googled it and saw this: There is no treatment for occasional flashes of light caused by vitreous changes from aging. Occasional flashes do not cause any damage and most people get used to them after a little while. If you’re seeing a lot of flashes of light, treatment of the underlying condition will usually reduce the number of flashes you see.

These conditions can cause flashes of light:

• Choroidal Neovascular Membranes
• Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
• Detached and Torn Retina
• Histoplasmosis
• HIV/AIDS
• Migraine
• Posterior Vitreous Detachment
• Stickler Syndrome
• Vitreomacular Traction

Since you've been checked most of that can be ruled out. Maybe it's just migraines? I get migraines without headache a lot. All I get is an aura.

 

[Myka01]

Migraine aura would definitely last a lot longer than a fraction of a second I'm scared it's coming from my brain not my eyes since my eyes are healthy as the doctors have said.

 

[Aries]

Mayo clinic:

Migraine with aura (also called classic migraine) is a recurring headache that strikes after or at the same time as sensory disturbances called aura. These disturbances can include flashes of light, blind spots and other vision changes or tingling in your hand or face.

 

[Myka01]

I wish it was just a migraine aura but it's not. An aura lasts up to 30 minutes and happens once in a while, I see those flashes a couple of times a day and they last a split second. It's not that

 

[Bobnnat]

Hi Myra. With a normal eye exam and normal neuro exam, both of which you’ve had, it is highly unlikely you’d be able to get a doctor to write a Rx for an MRI, since the normal testing you’ve had virtually proves you do not have anything sinister going on. Of course, especially in the US due to fear of malpractice, some docs will give you one, but not only will it not show a tumor or the like, you could have some incidental findings..things that show up that mean nothing, but for someone with anxiety, it can scare the crap out of you. Happened to me years ago.

Anxiety can do crazy things to our body including vision. Given your normal exams, my bet is anxiety. Hard to calm down, I know but that’s the answer. Easier said than done, I know.

 

[Aries]

You can always ask another neurologist and ask for an MRI.

 

[Bobnnat]

You can always ask another neurologist and ask for an MRI.

Worst thing someone with HA can do. It feeds our anxiety. We need to trust our medical professionals, and in Mykas case, several doctors. Just my thoughts from decades of experience

 

[Aries]

Worst thing someone with HA can do. It feeds our anxiety. We need to trust our medical professionals, and in Mykas case, several doctors. Just my thoughts from decades of experience

I have gotten bad opinions from doctors in the past several times. People should always get a second opinion. I had a walnut sized growth in my foot once and one podiatrist said it must have been a bone that shifted because nothing showed up on an MRI. I found another podiatrist who took the growth out.

 

[Bobnnat]

I have gotten bad opinions from doctors in the past several times. People should always get a second opinion. I had a walnut sized growth in my foot once and one podiatrist said it must have been a bone that shifted because nothing showed up on an MRI. I found another podiatrist who took the growth out.

I understand what you’re saying. I guess I should refine my comment a bit. When you have a doctor that you trust, based upon an ongoing relationship, where you respect their abilities, then we need to accept their judgment, or yes a second opinion is fine, but limit it to that unless you’re dealing with a serious issue. At some point we have to trust, or we can never gain peace of mind.

 

[Aries]

I also think people should do their own research. But that's a problem with hypochondriacs.

 

[WorryWimbleBec]

Hi I have the same thing have had it a few years now , have had intensive checks at the eye hospital . Nothing all as fit as a fiddle, they can see pressure behind your eye if it’s something to do with your brain. Guess it’s just one of those things.
when you have anxiety your eyes and brain tends to pick up on things that you wouldn’t usually notice.
Breathe. You got this.
X

 

[Myka01]

I'm getting an MRI in a week. I've also noticed that one of my pupils is a bit bigger than the other when it gets darker.. They both react to light normally, one just dilates a bit more... I'm petrified!

 

[WorryWimbleBec]

I'm getting an MRI in a week. I've also noticed that one of my pupils is a bit bigger than the other when it gets darker.. They both react to light normally, one just dilates a bit more... I'm petrified!

Please don’t worry I know that’s impossible right now. My pupils seem to be really small when they should be big and big when they should be small. One seems big one seems small. I recognise when I’m anxious they can “play up” too, I think your body reacts accordingly to help protect you when it’s releasing Adrenalin and going in the fight or flight mode. I’m sure the MRI will show all is well. Let us know but take comfort in my comment.

 

[Myka01]

I had the MRI. I don't have a brain tumor or MS but I do have something. An arachnoid cyst in the back of my head.

 

[WorryWimbleBec]

Oh sorry to hear that is there any treatment needed?

 

[Myka01]

Well, for now they're just going to observe it. It doesn't compress any brain structures so they're not going to do anything about it. It's benign and my neurologist believes that I've had it my whole life. I'll have to have MRIs every year.

 

[WorryWimbleBec]

So does he thinks it was found by chance or the flashes cause it ?

 

[Aries]

So the 4th doctor finally figured it out. I guess that's the way it is now. At least you know now. I hope that helps.