Momentary flashes of light across a person's vision is called photopsia. Normally, light enters the eye and causes the retina in the back of the eye to communicate with the brain via the optic nerve. However, flashes of light appear in vision if...
Many conditions cause photopsia, or flashes of light in the eye. Flashes of light can be harmless or an indicator of a serious eye problem that needs immediate treatment. Flashes accompanied by vision loss or by a large number of floaters, small...
The retina consists of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. Because the retina contains the rods and cones essential for vision, any disorder that disrupts the tissue can result in vision loss. Two disorders can cause flashes:...
Minor visual disturbances are common and not necessarily cause for alarm. Spots and flecks, known as floaters, in your vision can be annoying but are a normal result of changes in the eye. Some people experience flashing lights, known as...
The retina, which lines the inside, back portion of the eye, responds to light entering the eye, and thus plays a vital role in vision. Changes in the retina may cause flashes of light in any area of vision, though commonly in the side vision....
Flashing lights in the eyes after running may relate to a number of conditions that affect the eye, and some of these will be more serious than others. If you experience lights flashing in your eyes after running it may signal the onset of a...
With typical outputs of 10 to 20 lumen, flashlights pose little or no threat to the eyes. One reason for this is the built-in defense ability that the eyes possess. Through the coordinated efforts of the pupil, iris, retina and the optic nerve,...
Auras are visual manifestations of neurological symptoms. Flashing lights are one type of aura people report seeing, and these auras often seem to appear in either the left or the right eye. Migraines are a common cause of visual disturbances,...
The retina, a layer of nerves, lines the back of the eye and plays a vital role in vision. The retina can detach or pull away from the back of the eye, causing permanent vision loss if left untreated. Although the symptoms of a retinal detachment...
Eye health is an important concern at any age, but especially for children. As kids' eyes grow and develop, changes occur that can permanently affect their eyesight. Paying close attention to any changes in their vision is important to prevent...
The vitreous is a gel-like material attached to the retina at several points along the back of the eye. If the vitreous becomes detached from the retina, it could have no effects, it could cause flashing lights or floaters or it could create a...
In the human eye, the retina is the light-sensitive, transparent tissue that lies at the back of the eye. If this piece of tissue abnormally moves away from its normal position, you can be diagnosed with a condition called a detached retina....
Eye flickering and flashing happens when the vision-related cerebral cortex or retinal photoreceptors are inappropriately activated, according to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Several issues can cause this inappropriate...
The retina is a thin, light-sensitive membrane covering the back of the eyeball and further attached to the optic nerve. As we perceive images, the retina converts these images into electrical impulses and sends them to the brain via the optic...
Seeing spots or flashes of light or experiencing blurry vision in general are all common complaints after physical activity. In fact, many refer to these spots and colors as "seeing stars." Such vision issues are caused by a variety of factors...
Slight visual disturbances during activity, including stretching, are not usually cause for concern, according to the AllAboutVision.com website. In some cases, however, seeing spots -- often referred to as "seeing stars" -- can mean a serious...
The retina is a transparent lining of tissue along the back wall of the inner eye. The function of the retina is to receive an image from the cornea and send it through the optic nerve to the brain for processing. The retina can separate from the...
Retinal detachment is a serious condition that warrants immediate attention by an ophthalmologist. It requires surgical reattachment of the retina to its blood supply, according to the Mayo Clinic. Without immediate attention, the retina is...
Most floaters are the result of changes that take place in your eyes as you age. While they may be annoying, floaters are not harmful. The sudden appearance of a large number of them accompanied by a spark of light, however, may be a warning sign...
The retina is a tissue located at the back of the eye. Its main job is to convert images so that the brain can properly process them, according to MedlinePlus. The retina is red and contains its own blood supply. Sometimes, the retina may become...
Eye floaters are black or gray specks, strings or cobwebs that appear and drift about the visual field. The Mayo Clinic says most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur in the vitreous humor layer within the eyes. Microscopic...
The inner, back section of the eye has a lining called the retina. This tissue contains light-sensitive cells that send visual information to the optic nerve, and the optic nerve then transmits these images to the brain. If your retina tears, this...
Diabetes begins when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to transport glucose to the cells, or when cells in body fat, the liver, and muscles cannot use insulin correctly, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney...
Eye cancers occur in different parts of the eye and affect various types of cells. Eye cancer can be difficult to diagnose unless a person has regular eye exams. The most common type of eye cancer, retinoblastoma affects mostly children under the...
Because the visual system of a child develops throughout childhood, parents should be aware of some of the common eye disorders that may affect that development. The parents also have to be proactive since the child may not inform the parents of...
Macular degeneration refers to an eye condition in which the center of the retina (back portion of the eye) is damaged. MedlinePlus says that signs of macular degeneration include having difficulty reading and having problems seeing details. There...
Eye melanoma is a cancer affecting the eye that develops in the choroid or the iris. The primary risk factor for developing melanoma in the eye is exposure to sunlight and an increased risk exists for individuals with fair skin and blue eyes. For...
Visual disorders are the result of an interruption of the processing of images through the cornea to the retina and optic nerve and then to the brain for interpretation. Congenital defects, injury and age affect the ability to see clearly. Eye...
Vitreous gel fills the eyeball, helping maintain its shape. Posterior vitreous detachment occurs when the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina, to which it attaches at the back of the eyeball. This often occurs as part of the aging process,...
Eye cancer can start in the eye or spread there from other organs. Get expert tips and advice on diagnosing and preventing eye cancer in this video.