White lightening flashes around vision

[notwittywithusernames]

Ive been having the above for around two weeks, at first thought oh need to keep a (no pun) eye on that but its carried on. Spoke to opticians this morning and appointment fkr tomorrow, told not to drive as dilation os likely amd want an early appointment to have a chance of getting into the eye hospital.

Dr google (I know I know i shouldn't), but has anyone had experience of this?

Flashes are common and usually nothing to worry about. A lot of people get flashes and floaters as they age (google PVD) - how old are you? I’m mid 30s and get a lot of flashes, but I have damage to the retina from a medical condition.

Yes. Mine was posterior vitreous detachment which isn’t uncommon with age but white flashes can be caused by damage to the retina so needs checking out.

My friends were fixed by laser surgery. Mine settled with time.

Yes. I get some bright visual disturbances and have had a couple of investigations. Nothing was found and still get it occasionally, doesn’t cause issues. i do have significant PVD / floaters now but am used to them .

they need to check for detached retina.

definitely don’t drive after dilation.

Take sunglasses! And/or a hat with a brim. Everything is over bright for a few hours after the dilation, almost painfully

It might be an ocular migraine. When I get it (thankfully very rarely) I get a zig zag/warped pattern on one side from my eye which is white a flashy sometimes. Mine only lasts a few minutes, then I get a headache for maybe 1hr.

humanhealthproject.org/neurological-health/are-ocular-migraines-the-same-as-migraines-with-aura/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20908173571&gbraid=0AAAAADqAcou3qbZdPph3sVO_QaaqHsQMz&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyP3KBhD9ARIsAAJLnnbJYQs7zAjfPEj_FUFyb9mv05lcl96Hg8VGCP7z5gjy6tUp6Aa3dTkaAqk3EALw_wcB

This happened to me, at the beginning of a bank holiday weekend, so not able to call optician. I knew flashes might mean there was a risk of torn retina so I went to A&E was eventually seen and referred to eye surgeon who found a retinal tear and was able to do a laser repair right away. uncomfortable but not painful, was relieved he managed to do it without admitting me for surgery as op more complicated.
that was a few years ago and vision been fine since.

I'm almost 43 and it came on quite quickly, had a little mini panic when the optician was 'well need tk see you' (I know they want to cover themselves just in case). Got a shadow/blurry to the side vision of the worst eye. Just trying not to go down the dr google route

No zig zag it is just a flash about the edge of vision

Yes, exactly what I get and typical of ‘flashes’. Please don’t panic.

I've a taxi booked for getting me there and luckily in a place where itnwomt taken too long to get one back, no intention of driving at all x

Just how quickly it has come on, but things have to begin even when theres nothing to worry about. I'm sure I'll be feeling a dram llama tomorrow!

How did you get on @notwittywithusernames hope all turned out to be okay

No problems with retina which was good. Optician did pick up a small, what she described as a birth mark, on the back of obe eye and has referred to the eye hospital, but is nothing she seemed overally concerned about.

Said the flashes could be a migraine with aura but not a headache, stress (have got a bit going on so could very well be).

So overall good!

She also said it coukd just be due to aging and mentioned the PVD.

But she wasn't concerned. She as very thorough so feel confident all is well.
Strangely I didnt find much trouble with the bright lights (although it was quite a murky day where I am), dear old took me bome and sat in the front did get a bit dazzled when an oncoming car had their headlights on.
I looked like one of those marsupials found in jungle with the giant dark eyes.