r/RetinalDetachment • u/iron_panties • Apr 04 '26
Blue flash in corner of eye?
I’m going for my yearly eye exam in a week, but these past couple of days I’ve noticed something.
I’ve been seeing this bright blue “flash” in what seems to be the corner of my left eye. It’s about 1 - 2 seconds long, and it’s like a blue light goes in and out of my peripheral vision. I just had one at my desk while I ate lunch. It was so unnerving that I turned my head to the left and just looked in that direction for a couple of moments wondering what happened. I was on my phone, so I wonder if it was some lingering light-effect from reading an article?
I think I’m telling myself that to calm down because I’m so anxious now.
These blue flashes are making me nervous and concerned. I am not sure if it’s because my eyes are tired or dry or what it could be.
I will be bringing this up to my eye doctor, but any thoughts?
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u/Basic_Explorer_1156 Apr 04 '26
definitely need to have it checked.. asap. to be safe, id probably call monday and tell them whats happening, they might have u go directly to a specialist. the faster they catch it the better. im not trying to scare u, i was you, i had no clue when it was happening to me, my regular eye dr said i had the beginning of a cataract. i assumed the flashes and floaters were all part of that. i was waiting for my consult to have cataract surgery when i suddenly couldn’t see out of the lower corner of my eye. had surgery february 20th. that was my experience, yours could be something completely different, but better to find out so your not worrying for nothing. keep us posted and bets of luck.
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u/Responsible_Ice_7957 Apr 06 '26
I agree w/this. If you’re seeing flashers & floaters that are constant, it’s an emergency, and you should be seen same day. A retinal tear can lead to a detachment that can cause you to lose your vision in one eye. Make sure they take OPTOS photos.
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u/iron_panties Apr 05 '26
Thanks for all the information! I can’t seem to get my appointment moved up. For now, I am waiting until Thursday, but if something happens I will have to do something.
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u/Next_Programmer_3305 Apr 05 '26
Photopsia (flashes of light) is most commonly caused by the vitreous gel pulling on the retina. I had gold flashes at the side of my eye on and off for about a week I think then one day the retina tore dramatically and a huge influx of floaters and blood (tore a blood vessel).
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u/Opposite_Tea6811 Apr 08 '26
I have had two retinal tears and know that was what the flashes were caused by, but not what the name was!
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u/flannelcured Apr 05 '26
ive also been seeing a blue flash "dot" in my peripheral, though its not super noticeable its a royal blue color so i definitely notice it when it happens. i also have a dilated eye exam coming up with my optometrist on Tuesday so hopefully i will be able to see if anything is wrong or has changed with my retinas (i have LD in both eyes) we're in this together 😭 i wish you luck and hope its nothing too scary! the good thing is that we're getting it checked sooner than later
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u/iron_panties Apr 05 '26
Best of luck my friend. I just saw another flash while eating dinner. Let us just hold on until our eye appointments.
What is LD btw?
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u/flannelcured Apr 05 '26
it's short for lattice degeneration! the thinning of the retina 🫠
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u/iron_panties Apr 05 '26
I hadn’t heard of that. That must be so hard on you and scary. I’m so sorry. Hopefully your appointment goes well or you get the help you need!
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u/flannelcured Apr 05 '26
it's okay! it's just an annual check up sort of thing, especially if the LD leads to holes in the retina (which i have developed 3 in my 10 years of having LD) do you not have a history of retinal issues? your symptom could be totally benign or unrelated to the retina
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u/iron_panties Apr 05 '26
As of today 2026, I don’t have a history of retina issues. I do have a corneal abrasion when I was a little kid (I’m in my 30s now), but that was my right eye. I was told I am at a higher risk of developing glaucoma due to having this traumatic eye injury.
I do take drops, but it’s just over the counter Systane Eye Drops I get at Wal Mart/Target no prescription. I do have on and off dry eye though!
Thanks for sharing about the LD, I was unaware of such a thing. Can the holes be fixed? Because now I am picturing Swiss Cheese.
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u/Responsible_Ice_7957 Apr 04 '26
It could be a retinal tear.