Dry AMD and flashing lights💡

[Rita2]

Hello, I hope someone can tell me if this is normal first a little background...I was diagnosed with dry AMD at end of October 2019 by my optician. I went as I was noticing a dip in horizontal lines in left eye only. He said I have it in both eyes. He did recommend lifestyle changes and taking Areds but I was left feeling scared as hell. He said come back every year for an eye test unless I noticed any changes. So onto now when I briefly waken to turn in bed at night ,it is dark in the room ,I see behind my eyelids a flashing bright white light. I describe it like the jagged edge of a circular saw blade.this is in my weaker left eye. Should I bother the optician again with this? Or is it something that some of you experience?

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear Rita2,

It is best to err on the side of caution and get the optometrist to check your eyes as soon as possible, in case there is anything that needs addressing.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information service

9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111

[e-mail]

[MikeG1944]

High Rita2; that sound just like the image I see when I am having a migraine, jagged saw edge and flickering. Mine then gradually goes from the centre out to the edge of vision and then disappears. Does yours stay in the centre? Could you be suffering from some type of migraine? Mike.

[Rita2 in reply to MikeG1944]

Hi Mike , it stays pretty much in the centre. I have had the halo/ diamond effect in the day time when I’m having a headache or a bit stressed out.i can’t say my headache is a migraine more related to tight neck and shoulder muscles., like tension headache.

[MikeG1944 in reply to Rita2]

I still rather think that the jagged saw tooth like images you see is a migraine related thing, generated in the brain rather than the eye, but as TwasBrillig says distortion of horizontal (or vertical) lines is more likely some form of AMD and should be checked out. I have that in my bad eye and it's being treated with injections every 3 months.

[TwasBrillig]

Hi Rita2

The “dip in horizontal lines” you mentioned made me wonder if your optician gave you an Amsler Grid to use regularly? I was diagnosed with dry AMD three years ago and my optician gave me an Amsler grid and instructed me to use it regularly to check for any visual disturbances. A few months later I saw wavy lines and as instructed immediately contacted my local hospital where after further tests I was diagnosed with wet AMD and commenced treatment. I agree with Rosalyn at the Macular Society that you should go back and get it checked as it’s better to be safe than sorry. If it is wet AMD the sooner you start treatment the better.

As for the jagged flashing lights, I agree with others here that it sounds like ‘silent’ migraine, though do check with your optician. I’ve had this for years and for me, the only thing to do is lie down in a dark room, which makes it go away a lot more quickly.

[MikeG1944 in reply to TwasBrillig]

Yes TwasBrillig, lie down in a dark room and also take a couple of Paracetamol as soon as you notice it; that'll stop it giving you a headache. Luckily I only get it once or twice a year.

Mike.

[orangesky]

I get those to but always did

I call them like prisms like you would see with crystals

They are annoying but eventually go away