Seeing brief white flash in side view

[misaryk]

Hi everyone, about 2 days ago I have noticed off and on a brief almost like a flash of white light in my peripheral vision of my left eye. I was diagnosed with GCA and this is a new thing that just started. I am wondering if it is anything to be concerned about? It's not all the time, more periodic. Thanks in advance.

[SheffieldJane]

Hi mysaryk,

I get this too and after a thorough eye examination was told it was Vitreous detachment, a harmless condition caused by age. It's like floaters in the liquid of your eye that the brain interprets as light, mine can seem like perfect circles.It needs to be checked though because a Retinal tear presents in a similar way and this needs prompt attention.

I hope you are feeling ok at present!!! Your health has been giving you a lot of frights lately. X

( Been there and got really bored of myself in the end, hence being oddly pleased that it was PMR I.e. "Something with a name".)

Best wishes Jane

[misaryk in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you so much for replying. I am seein my Rheumy again at the end of October, but may up my appt and I am going to see my optometrist this week. 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Although you have gone through a lot recently with GCA don't think this is connected. Pred can cause eye issues (yes, really, as if the GCA wasn't enough to contend with), plus it could be a myriad of other reasons.

We're apt to blame everything little thing on GCA or Pred - and sometimes it's not! Understandable, but they're not always the villains.

Just monitor the situation, and obviously if it gets any worse then speak to GP or Rheumy, but try not to be paranoid about it.

Take care.

[misaryk in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DorsetLady, thanks once again for responding😊 This whole thing is rather unnerving but slowly with the help of the info from everyone here and researching getting a little better. lol I am waiting for that book that was mention on here how to survive polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arthertits. Should get it next week. 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As SheffieldJane says - something to get checked out as it can be a sign of vitreous problems of various sorts. Not sure your GP is much use as I doubt they'll have a slit lamp which would be needed to see anything - but a good optician will be able to check it all out for you. And if it gets worse obviously get it seen quickly - A&E if necessary.

[misaryk in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro thanks again for replying. I am going to go see optometrist this coming week just to make sure everything is ok. I ordered that book that was mentioned on here How to survive Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell Arteritis. Should be here this coming week. Thanks again for being here.😊

[stellfaye in reply to misaryk]

Please may I have the name of the book?Greetings from stellfaye

[misaryk in reply to stellfaye]

The name of the book is Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: A Survival Guide 2nd edition. I got it off of amazon

[Pamela60]

Hi

I have had these type of flashes in both eyes , I checked in at opticians and was referred immediately to eye casualty both times - I have vitreous detachments bilaterally - age and myopia but it can be other things , you need to get it checked.

[misaryk in reply to Pamela60]

Hi thank you for replying yes I am definitely getting it checked out after this thanks giving weekend. Not fooling around. I would sooner but of course a lot of offices closed.

[Caro12line]

Hi I had flashes of bright light when I blinked Went to Optometrist and she found raised pressure in both eyes ( probably caused by Pred) I now have them pressure tested every 4 months

[misaryk in reply to Caro12line]

Hi, thank you for replying😊 I was wondering if your eye pressure was ever raised, what did the optometrist do for it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to misaryk]

They monitor it up to a certain level and then they give you eye drops which should reduce the pressure. If they don't work and if it progresses to glaucoma and they still can't get it down with eye drops there are ops that they will use.

[misaryk in reply to PMRpro]

Oh ok thank you for the info PMRpro! You are such a help! Truly! 😊

[Caro12line in reply to misaryk]

PMRPro once again is spot on with great info x

My eye pressures are 20 & 19. Just under the need for drops and as I am tapering Pred fingers crossed they will come down on their own. That's why I'm having 4 monthly checks x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Caro12line]

Fingers crossed...

[Telian]

Hi misaryk

I used to get this problem, long before diagnosed with GCA, got it checked and fortunately it was nothing to worry about, my symptoms only came on at night time in limited light! I hope you get on okay.

[misaryk in reply to Telian]

Hi, and thank you for the response. That has seemed to have disappeared now thank goodness. Hope you are doing well yourself.

[Telian in reply to misaryk]

Well what can I say, PMRpro has just put me wise to my deliberate mistake, but seriously many thanks for replying and am pleased your problem has disappeared, that's the up side I do get to know the end result don't I?

My eye problems are okay now thanks, it's the rest - have no brain - think I need to go for a lie down in a darkened room now! Hope not to bother you again but can't promise!