flashes of light when retina detaches... is it like one bright light spot or lightening or a camera flash?

Question

i experienced one circle flash once or twice and not again... is my retina detaching or is it not?

Answer 1

Better than 99% chance that it is not.

Occasional flashes of light are due to the internal jelly in the eye ("vitreous") lagging on an eye movement and pressing or tugging on the retina, which can produce a "flash". This is not terribly significant. It tends to happen more with age, and is more common in people with significant short-sight.
Persistent or worsening flashes in one location of the vision should be taken to a professional, as should any *sudden* incidence of "floaters": tadpole or cobweb shapes drifting across the vision.
Even in these latter cases 98% are harmless, but 2% are the early signs of retinal detachment, so here an opinion to sort one from the other could be considered a wise precaution.
(UK optometrist)

(edit:) The only reliable difference is that a retinal detachment worsens and develops, while ordinary floaters and flashes from vitreous degeneration alone (harmless but somewhat annoying) tend to subside over a few weeks or months. Various odd eye effects can occur without reliably pointing to any significant medical condition. URL: (but it doesn't include Blue Arcs, for one!)

Answer 2

There are a number of risk factors for retinal detachment. These include:

Cataract surgery
Diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity
Family history
Myopia (nearsightedness)
PVD complicated by small tears (usually in patients over 50)
Retinal detachment in one eye increases risk for the other eye
Thinning of the retina
Traumatic injury to the eye
Symptoms
Initial symptoms of PVD are called flashes and floaters. As the vitreous shrinks and condenses, it may "tug" on the retina. When this happens, people often see a split-second flash of light, usually in their peripheral vision.

As the vitreous shrinks away from the retina, small fragments of the retina may break off. The vitreous also condenses and may form opaque spots. The fragments and opacities (floaters) appear as small circles, specks, or fine threads in the vision field.

In most people with PVD, floaters become less noticeable as the vitreous continues to detach from the retina. They generally settle to the bottom of the eye, moving out of the field of vision. There is no treatment for floaters and it may take several months for them to become less bothersome or disappear completely. Surgical removal of floaters is controversial because the risk outweighs any benefit.

The sudden appearance of spots or flashes can indicate a tear in the retina. A sudden increase in the number and size of floaters may also be a warning that the retina is tearing. This is sometimes referred to as a "shower of floaters."

Wavy or watery vision may also be a sign that the retina is detaching. Sometimes people notice a dark shadow or the appearance of a "curtain" being pulled over their field of vision. This generally is experienced in the peripheral (side) vision, which is where retinal detachment often begins. Blurred central vision indicates that retinal detachment is progressing and the result is significant, permanent vision loss unless it is repaired.

Retinal detachment usually develops gradually, causing noticeable symptoms, but in some cases it occurs suddenly. This causes total vision loss in the affected eye. Total vision loss can also be caused by a retinal tear that bleeds into the vitreous.

Diagnosis

The earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater the chance to restore vision. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and a thorough examination of the retina.

An ophthalmoscope is used to examine the retina. This is a small hand-held instrument consisting of a battery-powered light and a series of lenses that is held up to the eye. The doctor is able to see the retina and check for abnormalities by shining the light into the eye and looking through the lens. Eye drops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupils and provide better visualization. When this is done, an indirect ophthalmoscope is used. This instrument is worn on the specialist's head and a lens is held in front of the patient's eye. It allows a greater, wider view of the retina.

Examination with a slit lamp microscope may also be done. This microscope enables the doctor to examine the different parts of the eye under magnification. After instilling drops to dilate the pupil, the slit lamp is used to detect retinal tears and detachment.

A visual acuity test may also be indicated to assess vision loss. This test involves reading letters from a standard eye chart.

Answer 3

Had an analogous experience around 4 am with 2 different acquaintances final evening. the climate replaced into dry, 10-20 levels F, and gently snowing. We have been chatting contained in the kitchen approximately no longer something particularly whilst there replaced into an incredibly very remarkable mild that flashed contained in the better nook of the lobby approximately 25 feet away. thoroughly silent. the mild gave the impression to be interior and did no longer seem to come back contained in the direction of the window in that section a pair of million-2 feet to its ideal (yet easily would have, eyes are problematical). That window and the attitude at which we've been viewing might have positioned the flash coming from open area approximately 25-30ft off the floor. We have been given as much as see if there replaced right into a automobile or transformer or something outdoors that would have brought about the mild and we discovered no longer something. i replaced into watching that ideal section whilst the flash befell, my chum replaced into looking in that familiar direction in direction of the front of the abode and our third chum replaced into watching us and observed the mild no longer straight away because it momentarily flooded the abode and lit up our faces. the mild replaced into very very remarkable, gently stressing my eyes at it s brightest, yet there replaced into no halo or spots afterwards which looked unusual on condition that often a remarkable mild like that imprints on your retina and we've been in a low lit room. the mild looked white, yet with average blue/iridescent high quality. I d say the focal element of the flash replaced right into slightly oblong formed incredibly than around and replaced into appropriate to the size of a bar of cleansing soap. Angels/spirits and portals are no longer probably a passable rationalization for me as a skeptical individual, yet I ll easily shop it contained in the area of threat. the main smart end i will attain is that a transformer blew to the left of the window someplace close, yet whilst those pass, they're LOUD and in my experience greater often a sputter mild then a pop as adversarial to a minimum of one speedy flash. easily the full element replaced into unusual and we re having a annoying time explaining what all of us observed. in simple terms had to checklist with different memories.