What Causes Flashes In The Outer Corner Of The Eye?

Posted on Tue, 31 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 31 May 2016 Answered on

Sat, 2 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

I am a 22 year old female with short sightedness, -4.75 in each eye.

Since yesterday morning I have been experiencing white flashes in the outer corner of my right eye. It happened around 10 - 15 times yesterday lasting no more than a second with every occurence. Today it happened a little less, and has changed from just a white flash in the corner to a light that looks like it is falling from the ceiling to the floor (kind of like an arc).

Ive looked it up online and apparently this could be a retinal tear that needs to be treated immediately, however I am abroad and physically wont be able to get to a doctor for another week.

My question is, is it likely to be a retinal tear even though it's usually found in older people? And is it safe enough to leave it a week before seeing a doctor or could I be at risk of a retinal detachment?

I'd appreciate any information you can give me.

Thanks
XXXX

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid strain.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
These are called as flashes and these may occur in cases of myopia.This does not mean retinal tear I'd definitely indicates some changes in the periphery of retina.Till you are able to get a detailed retinal examination to rule out any appreciable degeneration in the peripheral region,avoid excessive physical strain like bending and exertion like game of badminton.
You can easily wait for a while but get retinal examination done at the earliest,and it is not a tear.
Do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar