Photopsia is the presence of perceived flashes of light in the
field of vision.
It is most commonly associated with:
*
posterior vitreous detachment
*
migraine aura
An aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced by some with epilepsy or migraine. An epileptic aura is a seizure.
Epileptic and migraine auras are due to the involvement of specific areas of the brain, which are those that determine the symptom ...
(
ocular migraine /
retinal migraine
Retinal migraine is a retinal disease often accompanied by migraine headache and typically affects only one eye. It is caused by ischaemia or vascular spasm in or behind the affected eye.
The terms "retinal migraine" and "ocular migraine" are of ...
)
*
migraine aura without headache
*
scintillating scotoma
Scintillating scotoma is a common visual aura that was first described by 19th-century physician Hubert Airy (1838–1903). Originating from the brain, it may precede a migraine headache, but can also occur acephalgically (without headache), a ...
*
retinal break or detachment
*
occipital lobe
The occipital lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the brain of mammals. The name derives from its position at the back of the head, from the Latin ''ob'', "behind", and ''caput'', "head".
The occipital lobe is the vi ...
infarction (similar to
occipital stroke)
*
sensory deprivation
Sensory deprivation or perceptual isolation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as blindfolds or hoods and earmuffs can cut off sight and hearing, while more complex devices can ...
(ophthalmopathic
hallucinations
A hallucination is a perception in the absence of an external stimulus that has the qualities of a real perception. Hallucinations are vivid, substantial, and are perceived to be located in external objective space. Hallucination is a combinati ...
)
*
age-related macular degeneration
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Early on there are often no symptoms. Over time, however, som ...
*
vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) describes a temporary set of symptoms due to decreased blood flow (ischemia) in the posterior circulation of the brain. The posterior circulation supplies the medulla, pons, midbrain, cerebellum and (in 70-8 ...
*
optic neuritis
*
visual snow syndrome
Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is an uncommon neurological condition in which the primary symptom is that affected individuals see persistent flickering white, black, transparent, or coloured dots across the whole visual field. Other common symptom ...
Vitreous shrinkage or
liquefaction, which are the most common causes of photopsia, cause a pull in vitreoretinal attachments, irritating the
retina and causing it to discharge electrical impulses. These impulses are interpreted by the
brain as flashes.
This condition has also been identified as a common initial symptom of
punctate inner choroiditis
Punctate inner choroiditis (PIC) is an inflammatory choroiditis which occurs mainly in young women. Symptoms include blurred vision and scotomata. Yellow lesions are mainly present in the posterior pole and are between 100 and 300 micrometres in ...
(
PIC),
a rare retinal
autoimmune
In immunology, autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells, tissues and other normal body constituents. Any disease resulting from this type of immune response is termed an "autoimmune disease". ...
disease believed to be caused by the
immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying the
retina. During
pregnancy, new-onset photopsia is concerning for severe
preeclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. When it arises, the condition begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases of the disease ...
.
Photopsia can present as
retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blin ...
when examined by an
optometrist or
ophthalmologist
Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a medic ...
. However, it can also be a sign of
uveal melanoma
Uveal melanoma is a type of eye cancer in the uvea of the eye. It is traditionally classed as originating in the iris, choroid, and ciliary body, but can also be divided into class I (low metastatic risk) and class II (high metastatic risk). Symp ...
. This condition is extremely rare (5–7 per 1 million people will be affected, typically fair-skinned, blue-eyed northern Europeans). Photopsia should be investigated immediately.
Causes
Several conditions affecting the eyes can cause photopsia to occur. The underlying condition must be identified and treated to resolve the symptoms.
Peripheral (posterior) vitreous detachment
Peripheral (posterior) vitreous detachment occurs when the gel around the
eye separates from the
retina. This can naturally occur with age. However, if it occurs too rapidly, it can cause photopsia which manifests in flashes and
floaters
Floaters or eye floaters are sometimes visible deposits (e.g., the shadows of tiny structures of protein or other cell debris projected onto the retina) within the eye's vitreous humour ("the vitreous"), which is normally transparent, or between ...
in the
vision. Typically, the flashes and floaters go away in a few months.
Retinal detachment
The retina lines the inside of the
eye. It is light-sensitive and communicates visual messages to the brain. If the retina detaches, it moves and shifts from its normal position. This can cause photopsia, but can also cause permanent
vision loss
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...
. Medical attention is needed to prevent vision loss. Procedures may include laser treatment, freezing, or
surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related
macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition among people aged 50 and older. The
macula
The macula (/ˈmakjʊlə/) or macula lutea is an oval-shaped pigmented area in the center of the retina of the human eye and in other animals. The macula in humans has a diameter of around and is subdivided into the umbo, foveola, foveal avas ...
is a part of the eye that helps you see sharply straight ahead. With AMD, the macula slowly deteriorates which can cause photopsia.
Ocular (retinal) migraine / Migraine aura
Migraines are a type of recurring headache. Migraines typically cause severe pain in the head, but can also cause visual changes known as
auras. Migraines can also cause
visual snow.
Optic neuritis
Optic neuritis is an
inflammation that damages the
optic nerve
In neuroanatomy, the optic nerve, also known as the second cranial nerve, cranial nerve II, or simply CN II, is a paired cranial nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. In humans, the optic nerve is derived from ...
. It’s linked to
multiple sclerosis (MS). Along with flickering or flashing with
eye movement
Eye movement includes the voluntary or involuntary movement of the eyes. Eye movements are used by a number of organisms (e.g. primates, rodents, flies, birds, fish, cats, crabs, octopus) to fixate, inspect and track visual objects of intere ...
, symptoms include pain, loss of
colour perception, and
vision loss
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...
.
Occipital lobe infarction (stroke) or ischemia
The
occipital lobe
The occipital lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the brain of mammals. The name derives from its position at the back of the head, from the Latin ''ob'', "behind", and ''caput'', "head".
The occipital lobe is the vi ...
is one of four lobes in the
brain. It controls the ability to see things. Impaired blood flow to the cells of the occipital lobe (
ischemia, for example as caused by a
TIA
TIA or Tia may refer to:
Aviation
* Tampa International Airport, US, IATA code TPA
* Texas International Airlines, US, ICAO code
* Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, Albania, IATA code
* Trans International Airlines, former U.S. airl ...
or
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) describes a temporary set of symptoms due to decreased blood flow (ischemia) in the posterior circulation of the brain. The posterior circulation supplies the medulla, pons, midbrain, cerebellum and (in 70-8 ...
) will lead to temporary visual problems; if the poor blood flow is sustained it will lead to
cell death
Cell death is the event of a biological cell ceasing to carry out its functions. This may be the result of the natural process of old cells dying and being replaced by new ones, as in programmed cell death, or may result from factors such as dis ...
(
infarction, for example as caused by a
stroke) which may cause persistent visual problems.
The main symptoms associated with an occipital lobe infarction involve changes to vision such as:
*
blurry vision
Blurred vision is an ocular symptom where vision becomes less precise and there is added difficulty to resolve fine details.
Temporary blurred vision may involve dry eyes, eye infections, alcohol poisoning, hypoglycemia, or low blood pressure. ...
*
blindness
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...
, which may affect part of vision only
*
hallucinations
A hallucination is a perception in the absence of an external stimulus that has the qualities of a real perception. Hallucinations are vivid, substantial, and are perceived to be located in external objective space. Hallucination is a combinati ...
, such as flashing lights (photopsia): usually only in the context of
blindness
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...
Sensory deprivation (Ophthalmopathic hallucinations)
Sensory deprivation
Sensory deprivation or perceptual isolation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as blindfolds or hoods and earmuffs can cut off sight and hearing, while more complex devices can ...
or ophthalmopathic hallucination are
hallucinations that appear in the
field of vision.
Appearance
Photopsias is defined as an effect on the vision that causes appearances of anomalies in the
vision. Photopsias usually appear as:
* flickering lights
* shimmering lights
* floating shapes
* moving dots
*
snow or static
Photopsias are not generally a condition on their own, but a
symptom of another condition.
See also
*
Fortification spectra
*
Moore's lightning streaks
*
Infarction
*
Sensory deprivation
Sensory deprivation or perceptual isolation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as blindfolds or hoods and earmuffs can cut off sight and hearing, while more complex devices can ...
*
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) describes a temporary set of symptoms due to decreased blood flow (ischemia) in the posterior circulation of the brain. The posterior circulation supplies the medulla, pons, midbrain, cerebellum and (in 70-8 ...
References
*
* Engmann, Birk (2008). "Phosphenes and photopsias – ischaemic origin or sensorial deprivation? – Case history." ''Z. Neuropsychol''. 19(1): 7–13.
* Chu, David S. (MD) (2001). Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061225/http://www.uveitis.org/docs/dm/punctate_inner_choroiditis.pdf
* Sihota, Ramanjit. Tandon, Radhika.(2011). Parsons' Disease of the Eye. 2011. Edition 21st. pp. 90–91. {{ISBN, 978-81-312-2554-7
Eye diseases
Medical signs
Migraine
Hallucinations