Eye Flashes

If you’ve recently started seeing sparks of light and they keep increasing and getting painful every day, you should see an optometrist for an eye exam. Dr. Rob Christensen and the Christensen Eye Care team provide the best eye care services in Dodge City, KS. Our optometrist will get to the root of your eye flashes and provide advanced remedies specifically suited for your eye problem. Early treatment will prevent worse problems like vision loss.

What Are Eye Flashes?

Eye flashes are flickers of light in your field of vision. Flashes can appear in one or both of your eyes. They could look like camera flashes, or lightning, or a bright spot in the corner of your eye. Flashes can take different shapes and last for different durations.

Why Do Eye Flashes Happen?

Eye flashes occur in the back of your eyes and majorly involve the retina and the vitreous humor. The retina (located at the back of the eye) receives and converts light into electrical signals which are transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve. 

The vitreous humor is the clear fluid that maintains the eyeball shape and transmits light to the retina. The vitreous humor is attached to the retina with many tiny fibers. When these fibers pull on the retina’s surface or rub against each other, you may experience eye flashes.  

Are Eye Flashes Serious?

Eye flashes are not problematic for most people. You can live with eye flashes if they don’t affect your vision. Eye flashes are a common experience as people age when the vitreous humor shrinks. However, eye flashes at a young age may indicate an underlying eye problem.

What Causes Flashes?

You may see flashes in the corner of your eyes for the following reasons:

• Posterior vitreous detachment. When the vitreous humor shrinks and separates from the retina.
• Retinal detachment. 
• Retinal tear.
• Excessive pressure or force on the retina like when you are hit in the eye or rub your eye.
• Optic neuritis. Inflammation of the optic nerve.
• Migraines. 
• Diabetes.
• Tumors in the brain or eye area.
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or ministrokes.

When to Worry about Eye Flashes

• If you have been experiencing eye flashes, but they suddenly become intense and painful, you should see an optometrist immediately.  
• If the flashes accompany blurred vision, dizziness, or partial vision loss
• If you notice any changes to your vision
• If you are experiencing flashes after an injury to the eye

The easiest way to get to the bottom of your eye flashes is through an eye exam conducted by an optometrist. Eye flashes are treated by treating the underlying medical issue.

Consult Our Optometrist at Christensen Eye Care in Dodge City KS, to Treat Eye Flashes

Contact Dr. Rob Christensen, your optometrist in Dodge City, KS, for an eye exam to get rid of persistent eye flashes. Call us today at (620) 227-5433 or book your appointment online.