Flickering lights (photopsia) can occur in both retinal tears and ocular migraines. The lights seen in retinal tears tend to come and go without a specific time pattern.
They are usually brief flashes and do not affect vision, unless they are accompanied by ‘floaters.’ Retinal tears occur in one specific eye, so the flashes appear in only one eye. In ocular migraine, the flashes usually last up to 30 minutes.
The flashes may increase in intensity from smaller to larger and may appear in both eyes. You may see a blind spot that impairs your vision, which improves as the flashes subside. These flashes may be jagged and geometric and may follow the rhythm of your heartbeat. The flashes associated with ocular migraine are not usually accompanied by ‘floaters.’ You may or may not experience a headache or nausea after the flashes.
Although retinal tears and ocular migraines usually present this way, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the cause of the flashes. A comprehensive eye exam is necessary to determine what is causing your symptoms.
