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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dloos | @dloos | Sep 11, 2023

In reply to @jwatzig "Yes, my docs say the same thing!" + (show)

Nobody knows about these things. I believe my doctors want to help me, but they have no answers.
Talking to my Optometrist about changing vision but from what he measures, my vision hasn’t really changed. So then, what am I experiencing? No one knows.

donnadon | @donnadon | Sep 26, 2023

In reply to @jwatzig "Never heard of it, but will look it up. Thanks" + (show)

Hi Jeff, I had misplaced this thread, but just found it. Yes, something I've noticed (which may or may not have been happening with you). I started wearing my reading glasses around the house even though I couldn't see as far with them, and since I've started to make sure that I'm wearing my normal glasses when not in front of the computer, the flashes have improved about 90%. I have an appointment in about a month with my vision therapist.

joansmurphy | @joansmurphy | Sep 27, 2023

I mentioned to my eye doctor that I have to turn my head to the side if I’m turning left when driving because I don’t trust my peripheral vision on my left side. I see double. My glaucoma has gotten worse. I also see things moving in my peripheral vision but I guess that could be floaters.

almad | @almad | Mar 28 12:23pm

I currently have covid and I just experienced this. I looked it up on Google and this question came up. How are you now?

dloos | @dloos | Mar 29 9:57am

In reply to @almad "I currently have covid and I just experienced this. I looked it up on Google and..." + (show)

I still have the peripheral lights. I’m not sure if it’s so constant (as it was) because I’m used to it now. Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, and Retinologist all say nothing wrong with my eyes.
I also had cataract surgery during this time and my eyes were thoroughly examined.
Nobody knows why I have this.

margaretamada | @margaretamada | Mar 30 7:38am

I also have had peripheral flashes of light intermittently since acquiring Long Covid. It resolved on its own after several weeks, but optometrist felt I’d had a mild retinal detachment (self-resolving). Right now it’s come back a little bit in left eye—seems to be aggravated when I sleep on left side so I avoid sleeping on that side. Also avoid rubbing my eyes as this makes it worse.