Flashing lights in my peripheral vision

I started with the flashing lights and sometimes a kaleidoscope effect in one eye about two years ago. I am in my 60's. Episodes tend to be shortlived but since April, the frequency of attacks has increased along with a trail of floaters in the periphery. Opthalmologist diagnosis: ocular or retinal migraine. Sometimes headachy. No retinal detachment. Vitreous gel breaking off. Just to be 100 % sure, appointment referral made to retinal opthalmologist. And if what general opthalmologist thinks not much you can do except stop worrying.

I have had silent ocular migraines most of my life and they are not as you describe. They consist of zigzagging bright lines that move across my entire field of vision. It seems the flashes you are experiencing are due to an ongoing posterior vitreous detachment. PVDs can take a long time to finalize. In the interim, fibril attachments can continue to tug at the retina, which causes the light flashes. This can cause a retinal detachment or tear, but often doesn't. You can avoid large or sudden head movements until those remaining fibril attachments break off on their own and the light flashes subside. It can take a long time. If there is a sudden new increase in floaters, you should promptly have another retinal exam. I hope this helps!

@pacer3702

Great advice about the sudden head movements .
I had a retinal detachment with no migraines, flashing lights or floaters.
The only problem I developed was a smudge in my vision like a dirty lens...it was a stationary floater
Went to my regular opthamologist and he immediately scheduled an emergency appointment with a retina specialist.
Told him I experienced a fall, on my rump, down our cellar steps which shook up my head. Dont know if that was a contributing factor. I had the surgery 3 days after my regular opthamologist saw me...both wonderful men...and prevented further damage.
So routine regular exams are vital especially if there are any symptoms like flashes of light.

FL Mary
.

If and when this becomes permanent, can't anything be done ?

This article may be of interest to people in this discussion.
- Why Are You Seeing Flashes of Light in the Corner of Your Eye? https://www.healthline.com/health/flashes-of-light-in-corner-of-eye

@sunshinesmom, did your eye doctor tell you what condition you may have?

No.She didn't name it. I asked and her response was that it happens with age and will eventually become permanent. I have an appointment with another eye dr.

According to her, No.

My son has lost his right peripheral vision due to a tumor pushing on the optical nerves on the left side of the brain. The tumor is removed. Two nights ago when he was watching TV in a dark room he started seeing flashes of red light in his right peripheral and distorted lines for 20 minutes. That was the only time that it happened.
I also have to mention that he had headaches as well.
Could this be related to the loss of the right peripheral vision?
We have an appointment to see the ophthalmologist soon. He told us if it happens again and does not go away , we need to go to the emergency room. Is this something we should be worried about.

@maliheh

Hi,

I am replying because I had a retinal detachment in the 1980s and have dry macular degeneration and always tell anyone who is experiencing anything unusual related to vision to please get to an opthamologist asap. Since you have seen your doctor and he told you to go to the ER if the flashes happen before you see him again...then yes...do not hesitate. He is obviously concerned that might happen.
It is of concern but could also be because of his headaches. You are naturally worried. Have all your information about the tumor that was removed printed out, names of doctors etc. and keep that in your emergency information material....even on your phone is okay. It is of a tremendous help to the ER staff who don't really know you or your son if you have this information and emphasize to the front desk that it is an emergency per your Doctor's advice. The problem with ER doctors is that most are not trained in this discipline. However, the good ERS have on call opthamologists . Better yet, if your opthamologist is on staff at the hospital you choose.

So don't let your son know you are anxious but I assume he knows to tell you if anything untoward happens to him. Just go no matter the hour. Sometimes you need to be a bit etc.of a pest in the ER if there are a lot of people.
So preface your "speech" with "My son is........explain...... and my Doctor (name) told me.......

Hopefully this won't happen ...didn't mean to go on so much....but my precious vision it a top priority for me.

FL Mary

Thank you for the information. The pressure of the tumor caused him to lose his right peripheral vision which is a lot to take. Yes, I am very anxious about it . We will see the neuro-ophthalmologist in three days but if, God forbid, it happens again , we will definitely go to the emergency room.
I pray that it will not happen again.