Seeing blinking lights in your left eye, also known as flashes or photopsia, can be due to a few different reasons. The most common cause is related to the vitreous gel inside your eye.
Common Causes of Eye Flashes
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Vitreous Detachment: As you age, the vitreous gel, a jelly-like substance filling the eye, can shrink and pull on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Most flashes happen when the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks or changes, pulling on the retina. This pulling can stimulate the retina, causing you to perceive flashes of light.
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Retinal Stimulation: Physical force on the retina can also cause flashes. This can occur due to:
- Eye Injury: Being hit in the eye.
- Eye Rubbing: Rubbing your eyes too hard.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While occasional flashes are often harmless, it's important to consult an eye doctor promptly if you experience any of the following:
- A sudden increase in the number of flashes
- Flashes accompanied by floaters (small dark spots or lines that drift across your field of vision)
- A shadow or curtain appearing in your vision
- Any loss of vision
These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as a retinal tear or detachment, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
