this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2024
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[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

When I got my eyes checked a few months ago, they where looking inside and asked me if I see a bright flash from time to time. I said that I do. They then said that if it increases in frequency, duration, or strength, I need to come in ASAP. They seemed concerned, but didn't want to elaborate for my sanity.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Bright flashes usually indicate a tear. Small ones can just be monitored but if you see a big flash (it'll be sort of like lightning) and there is no environmental cause, it is an emergency. If you don't get it repaired, you could go blind. This isn't medical advice, just what I was told when I was younger. This article is basically WebMD quality, but gives a little more on what to look for.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25107-retinal-tear

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (2 children)

oh wow! how could I have gotten a tear??

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

There are many causes, so possibly nothing you'd even be aware of.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

You didn't. If you get a retinal tear and then don't get treatment you'll end up with permanent vision loss. It's a major medical emergency. If all you had was a flash and nothing else, it wasn't a retinal tear.

Your doctors might be concerned about retinal detachment which can be just as serious though. If they think you're a high risk for it it's worth getting anything abnormal checked out.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

Is this X-Men’s Cyclops’ origin story? Maybe they’re worried you’ll have laser eyes and will need to wear protective eye wear for the safety of everyone around you.

Really, though, lots of eye flashes can be an issue with your retina. For me, I suddenly had a ton of flashes, like shooting stars, followed by a dimness that lasted for several minutes. It turned out to be an ocular migraine, which was kind of scary not knowing what was going on at the time.