Flashing images when trying to sleep

[Lavenderosemary]

Im just wondering if anyone else has anything similar to this...

If I get disturbed in the night (maybe a cat messing about or similar) and snuggle down to fall back asleep, when I close my eyes i see very very fast images snapping in and out of my half asleep dream state. Its so fast - like one of those books you flick through to see a moving picture, but each picture is different. I dont like it! If feels as though my brain is trying to pick a topic to dream about or muse over as I fall asleep. Does anyone else have this?

I had that once , a few months back - it's horrible! It was after a horrible row with DH when I was on the sofa, having been very distressed for hours but desperately trying to get some sleep. I know the brain uses sleep to sort memories, so I interpreted it as being just awake enough to be aware that this sorting process was going on. So weird though - the flick book was exactly how I described it (I think I posted about it on a thread here at the time). You're the only other person I've encountered who's had it.

Oh yes I have this every time I close my eyes! Lots of Mnners do actually because I read a thread on here about it. It’s like watching a weird surreal student film lol. I quite like it.

I get that but usually only when I’m hungover and trying to go back to sleep

Yes, I've had this, though it was a lot more common when I was younger (now late 50s).
They're a form of hypnagogic hallucination, occurring as you enter into sleep. Hallucinatory experiences occurring when coming into wakefulness are referred to as hypnopompic.

Sometimes. I always found it interesting, like watching a film. I have it more if I have a temperature, and back as a youngster in the months after I’d taken psychedelics.

I don’t think my eye thing was quite the same as you’re experiencing, but at one time I was experiencing bright flashes in my vision both during the day and at night.
It was recommended that I see the optician, who found that I was in the early stages of having a detached retina.
So although my symptoms are not quite the same as yours, I would say it’s a good idea to visit the optician just in case.

Oh fuck I think this is me. Can they reaffix a detached retina???

@KilliMonjaro get medical help now.

Detached retinas can generally be helped apparently but the longer you wait the worse it is.

Get help now. At the very least ring the NHS help number.

It can also be the vitreous humour jelly in the eye detaching which is less serious but you can't tell which it unless its checked properly. I had it at 23:10 on holiday in France and was told to go to the emergency room straight away to get it checked.

I hope you see this message. Worst case retinal detachment (if it's that) can lead to blindness so please do get it checked.

Don't wait for an opticians referral.

Instead, go to an Eye hospital A&E department as they are the experts with eyes.

They are likely to dilate your eyes with drops, they will do imaging which is where they take scans of both eyes and is completely painless then you would see. specialist eye doctor if anything comes up on your scans you would be referred to a consultant for further treatment.

Or you wil get the all clear.

Go as soon as you possibly can, at least for your peace of mind.

Oh goodness! Thank you will do.

Glad you got the message, hope all is well @KilliMonjaro i

Mine hadn’t completely detached, it was more of a tear and they just lasered under local anaesthetic whilst I sat in a chair, which did fix the problem.
Good luck with your diagnosis.

I get this! Only recently. It's odd isn't it. Literally like lots of random screen prints flashing before your eyes.

I have this, hypnogogic hallucinations caused by the medication I'm on. It's quite interesting seeing what comes up.

I get the flashing light when I’m really tired and going to sleep.
Also, when I’m overtired, I get this horrible feeling of being pulled up in the air with a whooshing sound in my head then a scary dream.

Only started a year ago and wonder if it’s hormonal related? It’s so strange how it’s always something unpleasant I dream about after having the rushing sound in my ears?