Seeing Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye

1. Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is one of the most common causes of eye flashes and occurs when the vitreous pulls away or detaches from the retina. Posterior vitreous detachment often occurs due to changes in the vitreous fluid as it changes with age. The vitreous or vitreous humour is a gel-like substance located between the lens and the retina, helping to keep the shape of the eye. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that sends light that enters the eye to the optic nerve, then to the brain. As a person ages, their vitreous may begin to separate from the eye, which can lead to eye flashes.

2. Retinal Tear

Retinal tears refer to a break in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue situated in the back of the eye, according to the Vision Eye Institute. Retinal tear symptoms may include seeing flashes of light in your vision or in the corner of your eyes, according to Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic.

3. Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that may cause a person to see flashing lights. If a person is having eye flashes, accompanied by other symptoms such as eye floaters, blurry vision, seeing an empty circle or seeing shadows, it is important to seek immediate attention from a healthcare professional, as untreated retinal detachment can lead to vision loss. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the tissue at the back of the eye, according to the Better Health Channel. When the retina is detached, it loses access to important nutrients from the surrounding tissues and cannot function. If treatment is not sought quickly for retinal detachment, it can lead to vision loss.

4. Ocular Migraine

An ocular migraine is defined as a rare type of migraine that causes temporary visual problems in one eye, according to the Sydney Headache and Migraine Clinic. Ocular migraines may be a cause for seeing flashing lights in the corner of your eye as a result of the temporary spasms of the blood vessels in the retina, disrupting blood flow to the back of the eye. This can lead to the nerve cells triggering light flashes and other visual disturbances.

5. Eye Injury or Trauma

Eye trauma, resulting from injuries to the eye, may cause eye flashes. Eye trauma or an injury to the eye may result in eye flashes due to physical force exerted on the retina. Eye injuries may occur as a result of a hit to the eye. Additional force to the eye may also cause eye flashes, such as forcefully coughing or even rubbing the eyes too hard, according to the Optometrist Network.

6. Vitreoretinal Traction

Vitreoretinal traction may cause patients to see flashing lights in the corner of their eye due to the physical effect on the retina. Vitreoretinal traction occurs when the vitreous gel doesn't completely separate from the retina, which can result in it pulling on the macula, disrupting the macula's usual shape, according to the Macular Disease Foundation Australia. Vitreoretinal traction may be a cause of seeing flashing lights in the corner of one's eye, consequently from the physical pull of the vitreous, leading to the mechanical stimulation of the retina, according to Kahawita et al. in their article titled Flashes and Floaters: A Practical Approach to Assessment and Management published in 2014.

7. Inflammation Inside the Eye (Uveitis)

Inflammation inside the eye, formally known as uveitis, is often caused by an autoimmune response or infection. One of the symptoms of uveitis is flashes of light, and others include eye redness, pain and light sensitivity, according to Health Direct.

8. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina, according to Vision Australia. Symptoms include dark spots in your vision, blurred vision, floaters and flashes of light, according to Macular Disease Foundation Australia.

9. Visual Disturbances After Eye Surgery

Flashing lights can occur as part of the visual disturbances that often emerge after eye surgery. This is particularly true of cataract surgery. While floaters are common after the procedure, if they are combined with flashes of light, you should consult your eye specialist, as it may be a sign of a retinal tear, according to Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic.

10. Head Injury or Concussion

Head injuries or concussions can be a cause of light flashes; however, these often come with floaters, which are a more common result of concussions.

11. Certain Medications

Certain medications can cause flashing lights and floaters in your vision. These medications can include Avastin, Viagra, Lanoxin and Seroquel, according to Healthline.

How does the Retina Create Light Flashes?

The retina may create light flashes in a few different ways. If the cause of the flashes is related to physical traction, like a PVD, the physical disruption sends signals through the retina, which creates a flash of light in your vision. If the flash is related to a retinal migraine, then the change in blood flow to the retina is the cause of the flash sensation.

Is Seeing Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye a Symptom of Eye Disease?

Seeing flashing lights in the corner of the eye is not usually a symptom of an eye disease. Eye flashes are generally caused by the vitreous fluid in the eye pulling away from the retina. Random flashes of light in the field of vision are commonly caused by ageing, as the older a person gets, the more liquid the vitreous gel becomes, leading to its separation from the retina. Eye flashes may also occur as a result of an eye injury or a migraine, but are not often associated with eye diseases.

Can Flashing Lights in the Eye be Harmless?

Yes, flashing lights in the eye can be harmless; however, it is important to see an optometrist if you see flashes, as they can also be a symptom of serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment. Occasional eye flashes are a common occurrence, especially in older age. The older a person gets, the more liquid the vitreous gel becomes, leading to its separation from the retina, which can cause eye flashes. Eye flashes that happen more regularly and are accompanied by other symptoms such as floaters and blurred vision can indicate a serious eye condition such as retinal detachment. If a person has these symptoms, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Are Flashing Lights in the Eye and Eye Floaters the Same?

No, flashing lights in the eye and eye floaters are not the same thing, although both involve issues with the vitreous. Flashing lights or eye flashes refer to streaks or spots of light that a person sees in their field of vision, caused by the vitreous humour separating from the retina and tugging, or causing friction between the two. Eye floaters are a collection of cells of protein that get stuck in the vitreous humour, according to Harvard Health Publishing, and look like circles, cobwebs or lines in the field of vision. If you experience both flashes and floaters together, seek medical attention, as this could be a symptom of a serious issue.

Is a Flash of Light in One Eye a Warning Sign?

Yes, a flash of light in one eye can be a warning sign, notably if they are sudden and happen frequently. It can be a warning sign of an underlying eye condition and should be checked immediately by a health professional.

How Long Does the Treatment for Flashing Lights in Peripheral Vision Last?

How long the treatment for flashing lights in peripheral vision lasts will depend on the underlying reason why they are happening. Retinal tears, for example, are treated by laser therapy, which can take 1-4 weeks to recover from, according to Coastal Eye Surgeons.