Visual disturbances at night.

I take Sotalol (for PAF) and Losartan (for blood pressure). Sotalol lists “visual disturbances” as a side effect and Losartan has “sleep disturbance”. I notice that when I go to sleep and my eyes are closed sometimes there is, intermittently (occurring say every 3 minutes or so) a visual disturbance in the form of a light (lasting for about a second), usually in the lower left “corner” of the right eye.

Furthermore, after some time has elapsed, the visual fief fills with “moving” dark shapes (almost like ink being poured into a bowl of water). This seems to occur as I about to fall asleep and is only evident when it is completely dark, not when there is a light on nearby. This caused a considerable amounted anxiety last night. I don’t think it’s a detached vitreous as I have had that checked and . In any case, the symptoms are quite different. I consulted a doctor about it a long time ago; he didn’t seem very bothered about it and suggested it could be anxiety or the side effect of medication. Does seem rather odd however. Does anyone else experience anything like this?

[Auriculaire]

I get flashing lights when eyes are closed in bottom left corner at night . I do not really worry about them. I think it's normal to get weird visual phenomena just before falling asleep. I have had these for years long before the flashing lights.

[Hidden in reply to Auriculaire]

Thanks for this reply. It seems that this phenomenon isn’t unusual which is reassuring.

[dedeottie]

I have the exact same thing. In my case My optician says that the flashes of light are caused by tears in the vitreous humour. The dark shadows could be caused by medication. I also see little scenes in full colour., people faces etc. I did a bit of research at it seems that its quite common and something to do with our eyes/ brains replaying images. It is wierd but I dont think anything to worry about. X

[Hidden in reply to dedeottie]

Thanks for this very reassuring reply!

[Auriculaire in reply to dedeottie]

I see those sort of things too!

[Hidden]

I’ve had an eye check. I disrobed the phenomenon and they, like the GP, didn’t seem very worried. They suggested taking the blood pressure medication earlier during the day (I usually take it at 10pm ) so the effect was not quite so strong at night.