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??

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Yep! Balls of light in my peripherial (sp.) vision, like seeing the sun. Quite scary. Several times every day.
However, this was not from Covid, I've never had that. It was a precourser to a serious and rare brain problem called Autoimmune Encephalitis. I was hospitalized for weeks, and am still getting medical treatment for this. It is not a mental issue, but a physical brain problem.
The balls of light thankfully have ceased. The neurologist could not explain this problem.

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@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.

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Yes! Not light flashes but detecting movements in peripheral vision that make me quick turn & look. Such a distraction that I drop things, stumble, and lose track of what I’m doing! So glad this isn’t just me.

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I did not know about this symptom until I read this tool to evaluate how the multiple symptoms of long covid effect our lives. I have used this to explain to my Dr. how I am feeling. I attached the article explaining the development & validity of the tool in addition to the tool that is available without cost. See p. 22 of the questionnaire-flashing lights is listed!

Shared files

SBQ-LC, bmj-2022-070230 (SBQ-LC-bmj-2022-070230.full_.pdf)

SBQ-LC Version 1 (SBQ-LC-Version-1.0-20-Sep-21-For-License-Review-Copy-Read-Only.pdf)

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@jwatzig

Hi, thanks for responding.
Bad headache is constant, no eye issues. Have some nerve pain in the back of the head from an accident 6 years ago. I am getting this both in the day and when trying to sleep.
Not sleeping well.
Jeff

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Hello,
Unfortunately this is my 2nd time having COVID and I pray that it will be my last. Yes, I too am experiencing flashes of lights in the form of circles. I thought I was going crazy, and that people may have not believed me… and I’m relieved that I not alone. This thing happens at any given time, I have experienced it in both eyes and I pray that it will stop!

Dawn

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After I had covid (over a year ago) I noticed about one month later the sane thing as you. White flashes in my peripheral vision. I’ve been to my eye Dr twice in a year and they cannot find anything wrong with my vision. No tears nothing. I definitely believe it was an after effect from covid.

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My dad experienced the flashes of light in the past and the doctor told him that was a migraine. He didn’t have Covid at that time.

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Yes. See an eye doctor for a dilated pupil retina eye exam. to rule out retinal detachment.

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@merpreb

@ jwatzig- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That would be weird even if you didn't have Covid. If you have had an extended or long covid then light sensitivity can be a symptom. And of course, this can be very scary. I get strange light sensations when I have a migraine.

First, please let me ask if you have any underlying conditions such as eye problems or nerve problems? Did you have a headache with these sensations? Were you sleeping and had these?

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JW I had the same thing. The flash of light on the perifery was white in color and would happen day or night. I had a headache that was on the outside of my brain 24/7. The flashes are gone along with the headache. Not sure what drug I"m taking did it (fluvoxamine along with low dose naltrexone among others). But I still suffer with brain fog and fatigue.

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@gina5678

After I had covid (over a year ago) I noticed about one month later the sane thing as you. White flashes in my peripheral vision. I’ve been to my eye Dr twice in a year and they cannot find anything wrong with my vision. No tears nothing. I definitely believe it was an after effect from covid.

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Hi, 3 month ego, on October 2022 I had covid, and 8 days later until now, I am seeing moving ‘ *balls of light’* *flashes* in the peripheral of both eyes, every hour or so all day long, even when my eyes closed.
I consulted different specialist doctors from different medicine aspects – Neurologist, Ophthalmologist and Neuro ophthalmology. I did MRI, MRA, MRV, EEG, PET CT. the results show that there is no problem.
I want to ask if you still see those ‘balls of light’ flashes ? did you meet any doctor that found cure to those flashes ? does someone understand the connection between covid 19 to eye flashes?

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Hi, 3 month ego, on October 2022 I had covid, and 8 days later until now, I am seeing moving ‘ *balls of light’* *flashes* in the peripheral of both eyes, every hour or so all day long, even when my eyes closed.
I consulted different specialist doctors from different medicine aspects – Neurologist, Ophthalmologist and Neuro ophthalmology. I did MRI, MRA, MRV, EEG, PET CT. the results show that there is no problem.
does someone know the connection between covid 19 to
balls eye flashes ( and it is not floters)?

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