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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Flashes Of Light In Vision?
Question: A year ago I started having flashes occur in my peripheral vision. I went to the eye doctor and I think he called it vitrial detachment. I went three times and he said it looked to be healing fine. Now I am getting the same type of flashes again, and to be honest, I can't remember if it is the same eye or not. I am a produce farmer and in the mist of the season so I am doing very physical labor (and don't have a choice but to do it) and my eye doctor is out until Monday. Since the symptoms are exactly the same as last time (just occasional lightning like flashes) am I relatively safe to assume it is OK for me to proceed with my work and see my doctor Monday? ( I am female and 47 and I have had occasional flashes since the original episode I just noticed them much more frequently today.)
Brief Answer:
You need to avoid physical activity.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history.
The symptoms of sudden onset of flashes of light indicates peripheral retinal degeneration or retinal tear. Since you had previous history of retinal detachment this becomes further more important.
Hence I advice you to consult your eye doctor at the earliest for examination and if required treatment by laser to prevent retinal detachment.
You need to avoid strenuous physical activities like lifting heavy weight, running, jumping...
Hence I advice you to avoid physical activity and to consult your eye doctor at the earliest.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
You need to avoid physical activity.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history.
The symptoms of sudden onset of flashes of light indicates peripheral retinal degeneration or retinal tear. Since you had previous history of retinal detachment this becomes further more important.
Hence I advice you to consult your eye doctor at the earliest for examination and if required treatment by laser to prevent retinal detachment.
You need to avoid strenuous physical activities like lifting heavy weight, running, jumping...
Hence I advice you to avoid physical activity and to consult your eye doctor at the earliest.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I was not given any physical restriction the when I was
diagnosed a year ago. Is bending over also a problem?
My family is having health problems and I have to
get the work done. Isn't it true that this problem is
usually harmless and only has complications rarely?
diagnosed a year ago. Is bending over also a problem?
My family is having health problems and I have to
get the work done. Isn't it true that this problem is
usually harmless and only has complications rarely?
Brief Answer:
Floaters are harmless but flashes of light require evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
Vitreous detachment is harmless but it presents predominantly with floaters. This does not requires any treatment and is almost always harmless.
The presence of flashes always requires evaluation to rule out involvement of the retina or peripheral retina.
Though the incidence of involvement of retina is less than 10% it is worth the evaluation.
Hence as a precautionary method I advised you to take caution to prevent any complications. Bending over and normal physical activities are not problematic but need to avoid running, jumping as I had mentioned in my previous answer.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Floaters are harmless but flashes of light require evaluation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
Vitreous detachment is harmless but it presents predominantly with floaters. This does not requires any treatment and is almost always harmless.
The presence of flashes always requires evaluation to rule out involvement of the retina or peripheral retina.
Though the incidence of involvement of retina is less than 10% it is worth the evaluation.
Hence as a precautionary method I advised you to take caution to prevent any complications. Bending over and normal physical activities are not problematic but need to avoid running, jumping as I had mentioned in my previous answer.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
OK, thank you very much for your help. So I tried and I
can't get in to see my eye doctor until Monday because he
is out of town. In your estimation do you think it is alright for
me to continue with my work (being as careful as possible) and
wait until then...or do I need to try to find a way to see a different
doctor before the weekend? The flashes are much less frequent today
although they are still there. They are exactly the same as when it
happened last year.
If you think I can wait, do you think it is OK for me to lift 15-20 pound
boxes? I assume when you say don't lift heavy weight you probably
mean 50 pounds or more? My work requires me to sit and pick tomatoes
and then lift, sort and box them into boxes as heavy as 20 pounds and
then I load them in the truck. Does this seem too strenuous? I own the
farm and at the moment am lacking in manpower. Thanks and I appreciate
your opinion until I can see my doctor.
can't get in to see my eye doctor until Monday because he
is out of town. In your estimation do you think it is alright for
me to continue with my work (being as careful as possible) and
wait until then...or do I need to try to find a way to see a different
doctor before the weekend? The flashes are much less frequent today
although they are still there. They are exactly the same as when it
happened last year.
If you think I can wait, do you think it is OK for me to lift 15-20 pound
boxes? I assume when you say don't lift heavy weight you probably
mean 50 pounds or more? My work requires me to sit and pick tomatoes
and then lift, sort and box them into boxes as heavy as 20 pounds and
then I load them in the truck. Does this seem too strenuous? I own the
farm and at the moment am lacking in manpower. Thanks and I appreciate
your opinion until I can see my doctor.
Brief Answer:
You can continue with your farm work.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
If the symptoms of flashes of light are decreasing as you have mentioned then you can wait. You need to consult our doctor at the earliest if the symptoms of flashes suddenly increase or worsen.
I think lifting 15-20 pound will not affect your eyes and put them on strain. Since the symptoms are also decreasing you can continue with your farm work.
But at any point of time if you develop sudden blurring of vision or sudden increase in flashes or floaters, you need to consult your doctor.
I hope that like previous episode you will be having these problems because of vitreous detachment only.
Hope this answers your concerns and do write back to me after visiting your doctor.
Thank you
You can continue with your farm work.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
If the symptoms of flashes of light are decreasing as you have mentioned then you can wait. You need to consult our doctor at the earliest if the symptoms of flashes suddenly increase or worsen.
I think lifting 15-20 pound will not affect your eyes and put them on strain. Since the symptoms are also decreasing you can continue with your farm work.
But at any point of time if you develop sudden blurring of vision or sudden increase in flashes or floaters, you need to consult your doctor.
I hope that like previous episode you will be having these problems because of vitreous detachment only.
Hope this answers your concerns and do write back to me after visiting your doctor.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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