Moore's Lightening Streak

[Bachblues]

I just wanted to share this interesting condition in case anyone else has had the problem. I experienced parallel strobe-like white lights travelling up and down my eyes when I turned my head suddenly and in low lighting conditions. It was not like the GCA light disturbances, and it continues to happen. At St.Thomas's eye clinic the main consultant Mr Nigel Davies diagnosed this immediately - a recognised syndrome - so I am glad to know that it is not related to GCA.

Moore's lightning streaks are lightning type streaks (photopsia) (seen to the temporal side) due to sudden head or eye movement in the dark. They are generally caused by shock waves in the vitreous humor hitting the retina or traction on the retina from fibers in the vitreous humor. The implication is that the vitreous is softer than normal, generally this is not a cause for alarm provided they are momentary, occur only in the dark, are due to sudden head movements (acceleration) and do not occur along with many new tiny black floating specks in the vision. Professional advice should be sought in cases of doubt, as retinal detachment, a serious condition, also can cause flashes in the eye. They are named after Robert Foster Moore (1878–1963), a British ophthalmologist.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Thank you very much!! Now - how to keep this somewhere safe

MrsNails - is there an appropriate place in FAQs?????

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

There’s a minor eye conditions post

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Seems like an idea!!!

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

On its way……

[SheffieldJane]

very useful. I have experienced similar in the past and was checked for vitreous detachment. Thanks!

[whitefishbay]

Interesting. Thank you. Had my share of eye issues (macular holes x 2).

[MrsNails]

Thank You for this - it’s now under Eye conditions in FAQ’s

[Broseley]

I've had this for years. No-one (opticians, rheumy, GP) seems to think it is of any concern as long as it just happens in the dark. I notice it when I go into a darker area and I don't get it all the time. I think it might be related to higher blood pressure as I get it when I'm more tired and stressed.

By the way my eyes have been thoroughly checked and are fine.

[Telian]

I’ve had this prior to GCA diagnosis. Doctors never seemed interested. Thank you for the explanation.

[HappyDiamonds]

Thank you for posting this. I also get it in my left eye, GCA is on my left side and I had recent surgery for macular hole in this eye. It usually occurs in my bedroom where I only have a bedside lamp on, I thought I was imagining it but you have explained it perfectly and I now understand why my optician wasn't worried.