Flashes from detaching retina

[eyesightlessthanperfect]

For those who have had a detached retina, how obvious are the flashes? I went to my optician last week due to suddenly noticing my floaters so much more (I’ve had a lot for a long time as very short sighted) and she couldn’t see any obvious problems but told me to watch out for flashes in my vision or curtains across. My question is, how obvious are the flashes? A couple of times I’ve thought to myself ‘was that a flash’ but I’m unable to replicate it by moving my eyes the same way. Is it possible these are retinal tear flashes? Or would it be way more obvious than this?

Bright white flashes in the corner of your eye.

It's quite common to get more floaters as you age. Your optician is probably just being vigilant. However, if a curtain does appear, you'll be in no doubt, and you'll need to go to A&E.

I get the flashing in my eyes. It's like staring at the sun too long and you are left with an after retinal image. It can last up to 30 minutes. Or like migraine aura without the headache. I've had this for years, but I've been told not to worry about it by different opticians.
Apparently if it was a detached retina then I'd know for sure.

Yes I feel the curtain will be obvious. How long do the flashes last? And how big are they? The things I think I see are so small and quick that I can even be sure of what they were. I think I’ve always had them… but what if they’re new 🙈😂

I had an optimap scan last week which i think is quite in depth and shows quite a lot so hoping that means I’m okay…

Yes I’ve had these before, like an optical migraine. They last maybe 20 minutes then gradually get better. I’m not even sure I’m seeing anything, it’s that quick that it could all just be in my head!

I had a macular hole and had flashes like this when I initially shut my eyes in a dsrkened room, eg at sleepy time.

my understanding is that they are pretty obvious. however if you are thinking have I seen them, I would see your optician. they will be able to double check and give you more information about what you are looking for.

I saw my optician Thursday re the floaters and she couldn’t see anything to worry about. I don’t think things have changed since then, I’m just hyper focused on my vision

The flashes were fairly subtle for me - I kept thinking the sun was glinting off something shiny just at the edge of my eye, but when I turned to look and find out what, it was gone. They were off and on. It was about six weeks later when I then had a massive increase in black floaters that was probably a haemhorrage, and then they found the tear, so the tear had probably just happened then and the flashes were the precursor. My regular clear/grey blobby floaters didn't really change. I was treated right away with laser, and then again a few days later with cryopexy as the fluid was still getting underneath and beginning a detachment. That worked and I didn't need furthertreatment. The tiny black floaters did eventually go away after a few months, leaving slightly more of the regular floaters.

So far I've only had it in one eye but they said to be vigilant as the chances of it happening in the second eye are increased. It has been quite a long time now though and the other eye so far is still fine. I am very short sighted, so it's not unexpected.

Omg i have this at night! Can you treat it?

That’s interesting thank you. I’d feel a bit stupid going back to my optician so quickly, I might call them for advice. It’s also trickier at the moment as I’m wearing my glasses (usually wear contacts) due to one eye being dry so the light is reflecting off them differently and also have a lack of peripheral vision compared to normal!

I had PVD and noticed the flashes when I went to bed and shut my eyes, I can't recall noticing them in the daytime, just the floaters.

Also if there are any opticians - I had an optimap scan on Thursday. Would this have show PVD and/or retinal detachment?

I imagine so, yes. I can induce the flashes by looking down at my armpit when shaving. They are very obvious to me.

Yes, exactly the same for me.

I found the flashes were longer than a normal flash if that makes sense and they're blindingly bright. Not the same as those little flashes you sometimes get when you move your eyes too fast. I completely understand your worry. Short sighted people are more susceptible to retinal tears and detachment.

Thanks. It’s stressful. I don’t think what I’m noticing a flash. I’m wondering if it’s a floater in my periphery - something is there, and I’ve kind of been able to ‘find it’ by moving my eyes a certain way. It’s not bright/light like though, just a kid of movement right in the peripheral vision.

I am very short sighted and have PVD. My understanding is that it's obvious on the scan- last time I had one the optometrist showed me what it looked like on the screen. I have them in both eyes but I've never seen flashes. If I notice a change in my usual floaters I get checked out.
I hope yours settles soon. It's very worrying, I know.

When I had a retinal tear I did lose peripheral vision. I can't remember for sure, but I think the optician was unable to say for certain based on their scans. I went to the eye unit.

Ah right, sorry, I thought you meant these had started since your optician visit. If there has been no change them yes she would have picked up anything that was present then.

You will notice the flashes. It is just as it sounds - like a flash light at the top or side of your vision. Flashes do no automatically mean you are having retina detachment though. If you get the curtain you need to take action quite quickly.

The scan will show the optician what is going on. Try not to worry if the optician was worried they would have done the scan quicker.

OP - I'm an optometrist, I'd always want to see you again if something had changed,

Did they mention a PVD? It's something that happens to the eye as you get a little older and the jleey like substance at the back of the eye comes away from its attachment at the retina and sometimes it can pull a little. - That can cause little flashes of light.

Anyway, it you had a scan n Thursday, you could still have a detachment on Friday - go back if you're worried.

@jetlag92i can’t remember if she mentioned it or if I read about it. I’m not 100% sure it has changed. It’s so subtle that it’s quite possible I’ve been getting it for ages and not noticing until now because I’m hyper aware of it. I also had optimap on Thursday - do you know much about this? Is it an alternative to dilating the pupils to check for detachment?

Very, also it’s like a curtain covering part of your eye (or completely if total). The surgeons are amazing though, fixed dh perfectly, both eyes, detached 3 months apart

Might be vitreous detachment, very common in older people.
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/posterior-vitreous-detachment