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I'm Seeing Eye Floaters And Flashes Of Light What Is
Posted on
Mon, 18 Mar 2019
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 18 Mar 2019
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : I'm seeing eye floaters and flashes of light what is happening
Brief Answer:
Go in to ER please
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
If you are seeing a shower of floaters and flashes of light, this could be part of the lining of the back of your eye detaching, and I advise that you go to the emergency room now for evaluation. Prompt evaluation of this can help prevent further damage.
In the ER, the doctor will look at the back of your eye with a retinoscope. They may also measure IOT. Depending on what is seen, they may want you to rest with your head face down, or they may want to do repairs of the retina with a laser.
You can let me know duraion of symptoms, any other symptoms, any past medical history.
So- go in now. Don't delay.
Go in to ER please
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
If you are seeing a shower of floaters and flashes of light, this could be part of the lining of the back of your eye detaching, and I advise that you go to the emergency room now for evaluation. Prompt evaluation of this can help prevent further damage.
In the ER, the doctor will look at the back of your eye with a retinoscope. They may also measure IOT. Depending on what is seen, they may want you to rest with your head face down, or they may want to do repairs of the retina with a laser.
You can let me know duraion of symptoms, any other symptoms, any past medical history.
So- go in now. Don't delay.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
im not seeing a bunch of floaters its one going around sometimes its in front or on the side of my eye. im seeing a flash of light once in a while if I look to my side. I was gonna go tomorrow to a eye doctor would that be okay?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
I would say that it could wait if you are only having a few floaters and have had this before, but that you are also having flashes of light in the same eye makes this a more urgent situation. I don't know how soon you would get in to see the opthalmologist tomorrow, but I would recommend not delaying having this evaluated.
A note to the moderator of Healthcare Magic: Please do not tamper with my note. In the US, it is illegal for anyone to insert or delete or in any other way alter a physician's note. In the US, we do NOT say "query" - that is not a word we use. And this is an XXXXXXX patient. In addition, something you added is mis-spelled (duraion). Please leave my note alone. If you have a suggestion, tell me directly rather than altering my communication with a patient.
Information
Detailed Answer:
I would say that it could wait if you are only having a few floaters and have had this before, but that you are also having flashes of light in the same eye makes this a more urgent situation. I don't know how soon you would get in to see the opthalmologist tomorrow, but I would recommend not delaying having this evaluated.
A note to the moderator of Healthcare Magic: Please do not tamper with my note. In the US, it is illegal for anyone to insert or delete or in any other way alter a physician's note. In the US, we do NOT say "query" - that is not a word we use. And this is an XXXXXXX patient. In addition, something you added is mis-spelled (duraion). Please leave my note alone. If you have a suggestion, tell me directly rather than altering my communication with a patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Im typing for my mom whos having the one floater she saying its only one it moves around and the flashes have stopped right now since she stopped looking to the side. it stays still then moves its on and off the one floater. im gonna take her to the eye doctor tomorrow is that alright.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
It may be that there was a partial detachment (these can be small or large) and that it has stopped. The combination of floaters and flashing lights in the same eye is something that we consider warranting immediate attention. Do you know for sure you will be able to get her in to see an opthalmologist (not an optometrist) first thing tomorrow? It is best to go in sooner than later. And if you don't think you can get her seen promptly tomorrow, OR if there are more floaters and light flashes, then please head to the ER.
I don't know if your mother is very old and has difficulty getting around, but if it would not be a significant strain on her, I would err on the side of having her seen now, particularly if you have a good ER near you where they can call in an opthalmologist, such as a university teaching hospital.
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
It may be that there was a partial detachment (these can be small or large) and that it has stopped. The combination of floaters and flashing lights in the same eye is something that we consider warranting immediate attention. Do you know for sure you will be able to get her in to see an opthalmologist (not an optometrist) first thing tomorrow? It is best to go in sooner than later. And if you don't think you can get her seen promptly tomorrow, OR if there are more floaters and light flashes, then please head to the ER.
I don't know if your mother is very old and has difficulty getting around, but if it would not be a significant strain on her, I would err on the side of having her seen now, particularly if you have a good ER near you where they can call in an opthalmologist, such as a university teaching hospital.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
im looking online for eye doctors I found a place called Sight MD near us they are a eye doctor place so I can go with her tomorrow to them. My mom is 49 to let you know also.
we are in riverhead new york also
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
I looked up SightMD and it looks like they have a lot of opthalmologists, which is who your mother should see. Providing she has no further light flashes or increase in floaters, it should be ok to go in to see one of them. However, if the symptoms get worse, she absolutely must go in to the ER right away and not wait.
It looks like you are on Long Island, so I would expect you have a number of good hospital ERs if she has to go in.
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
I looked up SightMD and it looks like they have a lot of opthalmologists, which is who your mother should see. Providing she has no further light flashes or increase in floaters, it should be ok to go in to see one of them. However, if the symptoms get worse, she absolutely must go in to the ER right away and not wait.
It looks like you are on Long Island, so I would expect you have a number of good hospital ERs if she has to go in.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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