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What Causes White Flashes In The Peripheral Vision Area?
Posted on
Mon, 10 Jul 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 10 Jul 2017
Answered on
Mon, 31 Jul 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I have white flashes in my eye. I went to ER and brain scan showed nothing wrong. I went to ophthalmologist I was sent to by the hospital and he said he couldn't see a tear but admitted his office specializes in eye lid surgery and didn't have all of the equipment that most doctors would have. He dilated my eyes and looked in with some heavy duty face glasses. I have a lattice (?) and that is just a discoloration.
Prior to that I had gone for my regular vision screening and the optometrist said I had a hole in that eye above the retina and must have happened with a serious head injury. I went to another optometrist who I had seen for years to ask him why he never told me about the hole. He looked in the eye and told me it was just a discoloration and called it pavement or sand or something like that. The specialist I just went to said he agrees with doctor number 2 that is is a discoloration and called it a lattice. He said I should follow up with the doctor that said it was a hole as he is on my insurance plan..They do have an ophthalmologist . I am so confused. I still have the flashing lights but it isn't there when I close my eyes. I have one floater that I have had for a long time. I feel a little bit of pressure in the eye...the lights are not constant. They can go away but do come back. I have had this for 3 days and am worried. What test should I request to get to the bottom of this.
Prior to that I had gone for my regular vision screening and the optometrist said I had a hole in that eye above the retina and must have happened with a serious head injury. I went to another optometrist who I had seen for years to ask him why he never told me about the hole. He looked in the eye and told me it was just a discoloration and called it pavement or sand or something like that. The specialist I just went to said he agrees with doctor number 2 that is is a discoloration and called it a lattice. He said I should follow up with the doctor that said it was a hole as he is on my insurance plan..They do have an ophthalmologist . I am so confused. I still have the flashing lights but it isn't there when I close my eyes. I have one floater that I have had for a long time. I feel a little bit of pressure in the eye...the lights are not constant. They can go away but do come back. I have had this for 3 days and am worried. What test should I request to get to the bottom of this.
Brief Answer:
See a neutral doctor for a second opinion. Disclose nothing about the hole.
Detailed Answer:
HI,
I truly understand when you say you are confused. Even as a physicians, the information doesn’t add up and is more concerning. I will say you should see another doctor and allow for examination alone to hear what he says. Only bring up this discussion on possibilities suggested by other doctors at the end. This is because ducts tend to be influenced by prior knowledge unless they are so convinced the previous information was inaccurate.
In all, see a new ophthalmologist. Only release details on prior findings after he must have stated his. This will help resolve the issues and guide further grounds for evaluation and treatment.
I hope this guides and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
See a neutral doctor for a second opinion. Disclose nothing about the hole.
Detailed Answer:
HI,
I truly understand when you say you are confused. Even as a physicians, the information doesn’t add up and is more concerning. I will say you should see another doctor and allow for examination alone to hear what he says. Only bring up this discussion on possibilities suggested by other doctors at the end. This is because ducts tend to be influenced by prior knowledge unless they are so convinced the previous information was inaccurate.
In all, see a new ophthalmologist. Only release details on prior findings after he must have stated his. This will help resolve the issues and guide further grounds for evaluation and treatment.
I hope this guides and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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