What Causes Flashes Of Light First In Left Eye And In Right Eye Later?

Posted on Sun, 23 Mar 2014

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

Sun, 23 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Yesterday I started having flashing lights in the outside of my left eye. I have wet macular degeneration in my right eye. Tonight I am having flashing lights in the outside of my right eye. The lights are colored . It frightens me. I had a shot in my right eye a week ago.

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (28 hours later)

Brief Answer: Flashes of light is because of retinal problems. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to health care magic. I am Dr Dadapeer, an ophthalmologist and Ianswer hhealth problems related to eye. It seems from the history that you are having flashes of light first in left eye and in right eye later. You are having diabetes and wet macular degeneration and you have taken intravitreal injections as treatment for macular degeneration. Sudden onset of flashes of light requires evaluation as it is usually because of traction on retina as in retinopathies, retinal injury or retinal tear. Since you are having risk factors in the form of diabetes and repeated intravitreal injections you require evaluation at the earliest to look for above mmentioned conditions and appropriate treatment to prevent complications like retinal detachment. Hence I advice you to consult your ophthalmologist at the earliest for examination and treatment accordingly. Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you

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