Seeing Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye: What is it, Causes, and Treatment

Published on October 4th, 2023

Updated on May 7th, 2024

Seeing flashing lights in the eye refers to eye flashes that occur towards the periphery of someone’s vision. Flashing lights in the eye are generally caused by posterior vitreous detachment in which the vitreous humour separates from the retina. Posterior vitreous detachment is a common condition that occurs as people age, and there is generally no prevention for it. Other causes of flashes of light in peripheral vision can include eye trauma, retinal detachments, migraine, and Stickler Syndrome. For flashing lights in the eye caused by posterior vitreous detachment, there is not usually treatment required. For flashing lights that occur as a result of retinal detachment, there is surgery available such as a vitrectomy and scleral buckling. If you are worried about why you are seeing flashes in the corner of your eye you should see an optometrist as soon as possible. Eye flashes can be a symptom of retinal detachment which may cause vision loss if left untreated.

What Does Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye Mean?

Flashing lights in the corner of the eye refers to eye flashes that occur towards the outside, peripheral areas of the vision. Eye flashes are streaks or spots of light that a person sees in their field of vision. According to the College of Optometrists, eye flashes can commonly occur in peripheral vision and won’t usually obscure vision. Eye flashes may look like lighting streaks or shooting stars when they occur. Light flashes in the eye generally occur as a result of changes to the vitreous in the eye, which can pull on the retina, according to the Kellogg Eye Centre. Eye flashes are common and may appear more frequently as a person ages. However, it is important to discuss any eye flashes with an eye care professional. If eye flashes occur suddenly, it is important to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist to assess whether there has been damage or a tear to the retina. Other causes of eye flashes include retinal detachment, migraines, eye injury and increased eye pressure. The below image shows what a flash of light may look like to the person experiencing it.

An eye flash as it would be seen across someone’s field of vision.

Which Part of The Eye Is Affected by Flashing Lights in The Corner of The Eye?

The parts of the eye that are affected by flashing lights in the corner of the eyes and eye flashes across the whole field of vision are the vitreous and the retina. The vitreous or vitreous humour is a gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina. The vitreous helps let light into the eye, provides nutrients to the eyes and helps the eye keep its shape, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye and helps convert light that enters the eye into electrical signals that get sent to the optic nerve and brain to form images. According to Duke Health, eye flashes occur when there is a change to the vitreous fluid and it does not separate cleanly from the retina part of the eye, which can cause tugging and friction, leading to eye flashes. This is called posterior vitreous detachment.

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. Should you experience both flashes and floaters together, seek medical attention as this could be a symptom of a serious issue.

An image of eye flashes next to an image of eye floaters to demonstrate the difference between the two.

What are the Causes of Seeing Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye?

The most common cause of flashing lights in the corner of the eye is posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which is a condition in which the vitreous fluid detaches from the retina. The other causes of seeing flashing lights in the corner of the eye include eye trauma, retinal detachments, migraine, and Stickler Syndrome. The causes of seeing flashes of lights in the corner of the eye are listed below.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): Posterior vitreous detachment is a condition in which the vitreous detaches from the retina, which may cause flashing lights in the eye.
Eye Trauma: Eye trauma refers to damage to the eye as a result of injury, that may impact the retina and in turn cause eye flashes.
Retinal Detachment: Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition in which the retina detaches from the back of the eye. Retinal detachment may cause eye flashes.
Retinal Detachment: Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition in which the retina detaches from the back of the eye. Retinal detachment may cause eye flashes.
Stickler Syndrome: Stickler syndrome is a genetic tissue disorder that may cause retinal detachment, a symptom of which is eye flashes.

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 the brain. As a person ages, their vitreous may begin to separate from the eye, which can lead to eye flashes.

2. Eye 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, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 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.

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. According to the Better Health Channel, a retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the tissue at the back of the eye. 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. Migraine

A migraine, particularly a migraine with aura, may lead to visual disturbances such as eye flashes. Retinal or ocular migraines may also cause visual disturbances such as eye flashes. A migraine is a medical condition, characterised most commonly by headaches that are severe in nature. Migraines with aura refers to migraines that happen at the same time as sensory disturbances, according to the Mayo Clinic. Visual disturbances may be a symptom of a migraine with aura and can include eye flashes. Retinal migraines or ocular migraines, are a rare type of migraine that causes temporary blindness and other visual disturbances including eye flashes, according to the NHS.

5. Stickler Syndrome

Stickler Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that can cause eye flashes due to retinal detachment. Stickler syndrome is a genetic condition in which an abnormality in the production of collagen leads to issues with facial development, eye function and hearing function. Stickler syndrome may cause vision problems including nearsightedness and retinal detachment, the latter of which may in turn cause eye flashes.

How Common Are Flashing Lights in Peripheral Vision?

Flashing lights in peripheral vision, or in the wider field of vision, are common, especially as a person ages. According to the College of Optometrists, as a person ages the vitreous gel becomes more liquid and begins to separate from the retina. The separation of the vitreous fluid from the retina may tug or pull on the retina, causing light flashes. Eye flashes may also be more common in those who are nearsighted or have had eye surgery, according to the College of Optometrists.

How Serious is Seeing Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye?

Eye flashes are common, especially as people age and are generally not serious or vision-threatening. However, eye flashes can also be a symptom of a retinal detachment, which is a serious eye condition and requires immediate medical attention. As the vitreous fluid separates from the retina, it can cause a retinal tear or detachment. Retinal detachment is a serious condition that may lead to vision loss if not treated. Symptoms of retinal detachment can include eye flashes, floaters, blurred vision, shadows in your vision, and seeing an empty circle in the centre of your vision, according to Health Direct. If you have the symptoms of a retinal tear or detachment, it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

A diagram of a eye showing posterior vitreous detachment that causes eye flashes.

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 those of 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.

How are Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye Treated?

The treatment for flashes of light in peripheral vision generally revolves around treating the underlying cause of the eye flashes. According to the Macular Disease Foundation Australia, eye flashes caused by posterior vitreous detachment are not life threatening and will not usually require treatment. For eye flashes that are caused by retinal detachments, treatment may involve surgery to reattach the retina. According to the NHS, surgery for retinal detachment can include a vitrectomy, which involves removing and replacing the vitreous jelly, and scleral buckling in which a band is put around the eye to push the retina back into place. For a retinal tear, cryotherapy may be used which involves using cold to fuse the tear together, or laser coagulation which achieves the same result, according to Harvard Health.

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

The length of treatment for flashing lights in peripheral vision depends on the cause of the eye flashing and what treatment a healthcare provider has recommended. If eye flashes are caused by retinal detachment, then the surgery may take a few hours. According to the NHS, recovery time for retinal detachment surgery may take from 2 weeks up to 6 weeks.

Can the Flashing Lights in the Eye be Treated Permanently?

Eye flashes that are caused by retinal detachment may be able to be treated successfully and permanently with retinal detachment surgery. According to Better Health Victoria, approximately 9 out of 10 retinal detachments are successfully treated in specialist centres.

How to Prevent Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye from Occurring?

There is no way to prevent flashing lights in the corner of the eye that occur due to posterior vitreous detachment. Posterior vitreous detachment describes a condition in which the vitreous fluid separates from the retina, which may tug or pull and cause eye flashes. According to the Cleveland Clinic there is no way to prevent posterior vitreous detachment as it is a natural and normal part of the ageing process.

When to Call a Doctor about Seeing Flashing Lights in the Corner of the Eye?

It is important to see a doctor or health care professional if seeing flashing lights in the corner of the eye is accompanied by other symptoms such as eye floaters, blurred vision, shadows in your vision, and seeing an empty circle in the centre of your vision as this could indicate a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment is a serious condition in which the retina detaches from the back of the eye. A retinal detachment can lead to vision loss if not treated so it is important to see a healthcare professional if you have symptoms of a retinal detachment. If eye flashes are not accompanied by any other symptoms, it is still important to see an optometrist so they can assess your eyes and monitor the progression of the flashes. It is also important to get eye tests and regularly see your optometrist to help with maintaining good eye health.

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