1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

Weird Covid Symptom: peripheral flashes of light

Posted by jwatzig @jwatzig, Aug 11, 2021

Hello, after ten days of bad Covid, I started seeing light flashes and light balls off the side of my head. Day and night. Very scary. Anyone else hear of this??

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

cope | @cope | Oct 1, 2021
In reply to @libertyusa "Thank you again. I did go to a retina specialist. He said my eye is ok..." + (show)
@libertyusa

Thank you again. I did go to a retina specialist. He said my eye is ok (for now anyway). Come back in a month. He gave me an eye test to use everyday to determine if things get worse. It had to do with holding hand over my eye and noticing what I see by looking at the same thing daily and by keeping gaze straight ahead. If it changes the "perifiral" view, I should see him. Meanwhile my "big" floater (maybe half the size of pupil) it still there and still moves L and R, but it has faded a little after 2 months and is less obvious.
Once in a while I have new floaters (tiny dots - like a period). I get flashing light frequently in my side vision. Usually when I drive into garage and look hard to R and L when I am parking. That seems to be the only time.

Jump to this post

I got the floater a week before I got sick with COVID-19. No light flasges. Is it going to go away? I thought I was just getting old.

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Oct 1, 2021
In reply to @libertyusa "Thank you again. I did go to a retina specialist. He said my eye is ok..." + (show)
@libertyusa

Thank you again. I did go to a retina specialist. He said my eye is ok (for now anyway). Come back in a month. He gave me an eye test to use everyday to determine if things get worse. It had to do with holding hand over my eye and noticing what I see by looking at the same thing daily and by keeping gaze straight ahead. If it changes the "perifiral" view, I should see him. Meanwhile my "big" floater (maybe half the size of pupil) it still there and still moves L and R, but it has faded a little after 2 months and is less obvious.
Once in a while I have new floaters (tiny dots - like a period). I get flashing light frequently in my side vision. Usually when I drive into garage and look hard to R and L when I am parking. That seems to be the only time.

Jump to this post

@tennisgolf

Glad you went to see the doctor and all is well….do return for the follow up. He probably gave you the Amsler Grid to view. Mine is magnetized and on my refrigerator. It’s black with horizontal and vertical lines with a black dot you focus on. You should be able to see all 4 corners and no lines should be wavy and no faded or blank spots. It’s handy to have for occasional checking.

FL Mary

REPLY
libertyusa | @libertyusa | Oct 2, 2021

Well, thanks for that info!. Dr. gave me nothing; have not heard of Amsler Grid. Mine is just holding hand over eye and what I can see peripherally.

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Oct 2, 2021

@tennisgolf

Ask for a magnetic one from your Doctor. If not, you can print one online and use a magnet to attach to your fridge . If it gets dirty, print another one. Mine is black plastic with white lines but the printed ones are white with black lines…same thing…insert it in a plastic cover if you have one.
This is what you really should be looking at…with glasses if you wear them for upclose…..at least once a week.

FL Mary

REPLY
joekuchnicki | @joekuchnicki | Oct 6, 2021

I had flashes of light out of the corner of my eye a few times after a little stress like shaving the first time while in the hospital room.

REPLY
bunzman | @bunzman | Oct 7, 2021

I recently had that but it's been awhile since I had covid. I would think that other causes (plaque/retina issue) have to be ruled out regardless....

REPLY
jdgeff | @jdgeff | Jun 10, 2022

I am on my 4th day after testing positive and I have been boostered and given a prescription of Paxlovid yesterday afternoon and sort of kind of reluctant to take. Well after last night a cold sweat, feeling dizzy and my 20/20 eyesight all of a sudden seeing flashing lights, I so decided to start the paxlovid treatment this morning. I have read so many posts of doctors discounting these flashing lights as a covid related symptom but I assure you this is a covid symptom that has not been connected based on all my readings this morning. Too many covid patients have indicated this on many blogs.

REPLY
drfeld | @drfeld | Jun 11, 2022

In my case, I wouldn't characterize them as flashes (which possibly means it's a different symptom). For me, it's like I catch a fleeting bit of movement in the periphery of my right eye. Always makes me think someone is there when there never is. Just thought I'd mention it here in case someone else has that variation on the theme.

REPLY
2 replies
nicostubler | @nicostubler | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @drfeld "In my case, I wouldn't characterize them as flashes (which possibly means it's a different symptom)...." + (show)
@drfeld

In my case, I wouldn't characterize them as flashes (which possibly means it's a different symptom). For me, it's like I catch a fleeting bit of movement in the periphery of my right eye. Always makes me think someone is there when there never is. Just thought I'd mention it here in case someone else has that variation on the theme.

Jump to this post

same

REPLY
earthangel | @earthangel | Jun 14, 2022

I have more floaters after covid. I went to my eye dr because of blurry vision. He told me it was probably the floaters since they multiplied. He asked if I see flashes of light, because it means I am having trouble with my retina.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.