Symptom Finder - Flashes of Light
FLASHES OF LIGHT
Flashes of light usually result from involvement of the retina, optic nerve,
optic cortex, or the arterial circulation to these areas.
1. Retina: Conditions of the retina to be considered in this symptom are exudative choroiditis, retinal detachment, venous thrombosis, and embolism.
2. Optic nerve: Optic neuritis at the onset may cause flashes of light. Multiple sclerosis is prone to present this way.
3. Optic cortex: Transient ischemic attacks in the posterior cerebral circulation and epileptic auras may cause this symptom.
4. Arterial circulation to the eye and brain: Migraine, cerebral thrombosis, and emboli present with this symptom.
Approach to the Diagnosis
This is similar to the workup of blurred vision
Flashes of light usually result from involvement of the retina, optic nerve,
optic cortex, or the arterial circulation to these areas.
1. Retina: Conditions of the retina to be considered in this symptom are exudative choroiditis, retinal detachment, venous thrombosis, and embolism.
2. Optic nerve: Optic neuritis at the onset may cause flashes of light. Multiple sclerosis is prone to present this way.
3. Optic cortex: Transient ischemic attacks in the posterior cerebral circulation and epileptic auras may cause this symptom.
4. Arterial circulation to the eye and brain: Migraine, cerebral thrombosis, and emboli present with this symptom.
Approach to the Diagnosis
This is similar to the workup of blurred vision
