Flashing lights

[quietly2]

I often have lights flashing, but in my case it looks like a windmill going round and it can happen anytime. It usually stops after a few minutes. I have had wet macular treated in one eye and have dry macular in the other. I also had a cataract removed a couple of years ago. Don’t really know what the flashing is caused by or if anyone else suffers the same. Wouldn’t be interesting to know.

[springcross]

Hi quietly2. I have the windmill thing that I see every now and then, It's like one of those little window fans (from many years ago) which were put in windows to control condensation. Sometimes I go for ages without seeing it but then I seem to get it again occasionally and it's gone again. Most peculiar. I have wet macular in my left eye.

[quietly2 in reply to springcross]

That is exactly what I experience, and I have wet macular in my left eye. The windmill thing is so spasmodic, but causes a little worry when it happens, Thanks so much for replying.

[Hidden in reply to quietly2]

Oh, me too. I only get it at night in the dark as I'm going to bed. Usually as I take my top off over my head. Exactly as springcross describes. As you say, it's intermittent. I have brvo with oedema left eye but get flashes more obvious in right eye ( side nearest window).

Did worry at first but as often as my eyes get checked I figure something would have been found if it was an issue.

[quietly2 in reply to Hidden]

Mine only occurs in bright lights so far, so it seems to happen differently for different people.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear quietly2,

It is worth flagging up the flashing with your ophthalmologist in case there is anything that needs addressing.

However, it could be that you are describing Charles Bonnet Visual Hallucinations.

I am copying a link to our booklet on Visual Hallucinations:

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

In addition, there is a reference to Catherine wheels in the article below about Charles Bonnet Syndrome, which is by Dominic ffytche:

news-medical.net/news/20151...

"What do the CBS images look like? Do they tend to be unpleasant? The hallucinations range from very simple dots, colored blobs, sparkles of light and Catherine wheels through to more formed images such as a brick wall, a geometrical pattern or a disembodied face that may loom up in front of you and be distorted, often with prominent or twisted features. People describe the latter as being similar to gargoyles or grotesque in some way.

People may also see figures that are usually in some form of elaborate costume such as a Napoleonic uniform, a knight’s shining armor, or a Victorian or Edwardian costume. The figures are also often wearing some form of head gear such as a hat, bonnet or an aristocratic wig.

Text and strings of letters are also commonly seen. These may look like words initially but, when looked at more carefully, the letters may not be real or they may be real but don't form words that make any sense so they can't be read. This also happens with musical notes. People may see crotchets and quavers, but those people who can understand music say that they can't actually read the music.

The list goes on, but those are the most common types of hallucination."

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further help.

The Macular Society Advice and Information service is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[springcross in reply to Rosalyn-helpline]

Hi Rosalyn. Thanks for that info - interesting.