Increasing flashes of light in eye

[Nceye]

Hi,

Over the last week or so I have had increasingly frequent flashes of light in my left eye. It comes round like an arc at the bottom of my eye. I think it mostly happens if I turn my head sharply. I usually get the odd one as I have ROP from being born at 25 weeks (in 1992), I also have quite extensive scarring in that eye. But this week it's been a good 5/6+ times a day, everyday. The thing that has mostly alarmed me is that on waking this morning I had a weird reddish flash, again like an arc on the left bottom of my eye.
I have not had a curtain come over over my eye.

My A&E does have an eye casualty but it's only open Monday - Friday and I'd have to go through my optician or A&E directly to get a referral and only if they thought it was appropriate/saw a tear etc etc would they refer.

So, I am wondering firstly if anyone has experienced anything like this and what was the outcome?
Secondly do you think this can wait till tomorrow at 8 am when eye casualty is open? Or should I be seen today?

Honestly, I have been at the hospital for suspected tears so many times (due to the scarring looking a bit funny) which turned out to be nothing, I am concerned I am over reacting about this.

Thanks all and sorry this is a bit long!

I was told by my optician any flashing should be treated as an emergency and go to A and E immediately. I would go now and not wait for tomorrow,there will be someone there who deals with eyes.

I had something similar. It was a tear in my retina.

Could it be a detached retina? If so, it’s urgent. Get it seen to asap.

I waited three days to go to the hospital as I was away from home. They advised I shouldn't have waited for so long as it was an emergency.

I’d go today. Sorry so boring for you but it’s your sight and worth being diligent about.

Theres any number of things it could be. Eye hospital is the place place to go.

Is there any pain? Could be a detached retina, optic neuritis, tear. Either way, don't take chances when it comes to your eyes. Go and get seen ASAP.

No pain, just the flashes that have been more frequent.
I have no curtain though. Which they have always told me to look out for, is it likely to still be a retinal detachment without that?

Retinal detachment is a curtain but a tear is more likely to be flashes. Tears can become a full on detachment. You need to be seen now, especially as its getting worse. Go to your optician and ask them to have a look.

My tear was on the side like a narrow Crescent moon. Especially noticeable if I turned the light off and turned quickly.

You need to get it checked.

I had this and didn't realise it could be serious. It went away after a few weeks fortunately. Go to an eye hospital as soon as you can.

I had this and was advised to go to A and E by my optician. I can't remember the exact name but it was all part of the natural aging process. I think the retina stretches or something and fluid in the eyes moves around causes the flashing.
It can also be a sign of retinal detachment which needs urgent treatment. This is with you need to get it checked - it's probably normal signs of aging but you must check its not retinal detachment

Posterior Vitreous Detachment..mine was noticeable at night, was fine but should be checked out

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/posterior-vitreous-detachment?srsltid=AfmBOorJjuXz3msZ1y0IaWxn4yneJPaF_VzpYDdw1iYl5wEA42N9rdz3
This is what I had and it's a normal part of aging. I was about 40 when it happened.
However, symptoms are similar to retinal detachment.

Thank you all for the replies and advice.

I went to see my optician who said my retina is being pulled by scarring quite significantly and now I have quite a few hemorrhages in that eye. I've never had that before. I did stress that was a big change from usual but she said she'll see me again in a few weeks and that was that.

I'll definitely go back if it gets any worse or anything changes though.

Thanks again.