Photopsia, or flashes of light, can be caused by vitreous shrinkage in the eye, head trauma, or brain infarcts. It is often a sign of an impending migraine and should be checked by an eye doctor, as it can lead to vision loss in rare cases. People over 65 are more likely to experience vitreous shrinkage.
Photopsia is a condition in which people see what look like flashes of light. Often, a migraine will accompany this eye condition. Many people who suffer from frequent migraines use these flashes as indicators for a migraine to come. Several things can cause a person to see random flashing lights, but the most common cause is shrinkage of the vitreous in the eye. People over the age of 65 are more likely than younger people to have photopsia.
The vitreous is the transparent substance that comprises the center of the eyes. It is composed mostly of water, makes up about 75% of the eye’s volume, and gives the eye its shape and form. Narrowing of the vitreous in the eye most commonly leads to photopsia. This narrowing puts strain on the attachment nodes, irritating the retina and causing it to send out electrical impulses that the brain interprets as flashes of light.
Other events besides vitreous shrinkage can lead to this condition. Blunt force trauma to a person’s head can easily cause the retina to momentarily move away from the eyeball. When the retina moves away from its location in the eye, a person may see momentary flashes of light. Posterior vitreous detachment and infarcts in the occipital lobe of the brain can also lead to experiencing photopsia.
Photopsia is quite often a harbinger of migraine. Migraine can be caused by spasm of blood vessels in the brain or by detachment of the retina from connecting nerves. The flashes of light that accompany some migraines can look like sparks, lines of light, zig zags, or geometric patterns dancing in the air. The flashing lights can last for a short moment or for a long time for the duration of the migraine.
Sensing frequent and sudden flashing lights without warning is an event that should not be taken lightly. A person who experiences flashing lights on a regular basis should see their eye doctor as soon as possible. While flashes of light are generally not a cause for concern, in rare cases this condition can lead to some level of vision loss.
In general, the vitreous in the eye shrinks as a person ages, becomes thinner in texture, and begins to detach from the retina. About two-thirds of the population over 65 experiences some level of vitreous shrinkage. While experiencing flashing lights may not be an uncommon occurrence for these people, a large increase in photopsy experiences could indicate that the retina is torn.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
