So my son has said a few times before that he sees flashes of light. He said its kind of like lighting. He says he is the only one that sees it. I think he has mentioned it a couple times and I didn't worry much. Tonight after I tucked him into bed he came downstairs just bawling (not something he normally does) and said that he saw the flashes again just as he was about to go to sleep. He is obviously worried and now I am too. I honestly thought it was just a weird one time thing. I looked up on web md and google but I cannot find anything. Anyone have any experience with this. Should I take him to a regular doctor or an eye doctor?
I contacted our family doctor and he suggested I take him to an ophthalmologist first. We went there and they said his eyes were completely healthy. She then suggested to go back to the family doctor. We did and he referred us to a neurologist. Yesterday he had his appointment and they said that since he doesn't see the flashes when his eyes are closed that is not likely it is coming from the brain. She also said there are really no tests that can be done. So he just has to learn to deal with them. Thank you for all your input. I am really grateful.
He may have a slightly detached retina. Or he could be losing the vitreous fluid in his eye, but this is not normal for someone his age. Definitely see the ophthalmologist ASAP!
I have seen the lightening flashes just before getting an ocular headache.
No big deal for that cause.
I did draw a couple of eyes on paper and then drew the lighten flashes exactly where I saw them. It helped the diagnosis.
Good luck!
My husband is an optometrist and we see this in the office all the time. We catch tears, tumors, detachments and such regularly. Staff is told to ask if there is flashes of light, headaches, etc. He sees them that day!! Each doctor is different. An Optometrist can see him just as easily as an Ophthalmologist. They will probably need to dilate his eyes and if possible some offices will take photos of the back of the eyes. We do. This will fall under medical insurance if you are using insurance as most vision insurance only covers "I need glasses or contacts". It could be nothing but I would get him scheduled. Hope this helps.
Get him to an ophthalmologist. Have his eyes checked. I saw flashes of light sort of like someone was snapping a picture. It was my retina detached. Had I sought help immediately I would still have vision in my left eye. I did not for several days. And am blind in my left eye. It might not be that with your son but not worth messing with get him in quick.
I agree with Sally it could be a few things and probably more as well.
1: migraines
2: Seizures
3: an issue with his eyes..
4:And probably more I don't know about
Bottom line....time to take him to the doctor.
I see flashes before I get an eye migraine. Mine are related to my hormonal cycle (yay me - not).
Does he complain that his head hurts after he sees the flashes? Have you noticed any particular pattern? You might need to start a journal to document the occurrences. I would have his eyes examined and talk to his regular physician about it.
Good luck.
It might be a type of migraine. I see speckles before my "ocular migraines"...I've been told I'm lucky because I don't get a bad headache...but my vision sort of whites out for about 15 minutes.
The other thing that comes to mind is a type of seizure...it sounds like he has a spurt of brain activity going on which is what seizures are. I would have it checked out. You might ask him if he's been staring at lights or at the sun during the day...
Also find out if he has had any hits to the head at school...that could be a sign of a concussion.
Definitely take him to an eye doctor.
My daughter freaked me out and told me this too when she was about 5yo. Took her to the eye doctor and there was nothing wrong with her eyes. I never considered seizures or anything else but she is 10 now and hasn't mentioned this in years and is perfectly healthy.
Take him to an eye doctor. This could something serious.
Ophthalmologist. Now.
Had the same thing happen to my now 24 dd.
They finally called them ocular migraines without
the headache. It was a head scratcher for a while though.
She tended to make up stuff for attention so I wasn't
even sure she wasn't lying. She called them camera
flashes and says she doesn't get them anymore but who
knows. She still lies and is a mess (another story but
irrelevant to your question). That would be a conversation
over a couple of drinks-lol. Good luck but I would take
him to an ophthalmologist for sure.
Yes, take him to the eye doctor immediately. I've had to wear glasses or contacts since I was young. I've spoken to the eye doctors about floaters and spots and all matter of eye issues, and they always say, if you see flashes of light come in immediately. Post haste.
Yeah, I agree..get him to a doctor....may be the aura just prior to a migraine (neither are much fun) or it could be some serious eye problem or maybe some sort of seizure related issue....
Maybe you should start with contacting his pediatrician and go from there. Hope you he feels better and you get some answers...Good luck
Get him to an eye dr. asap..could be the start of a detached retina...I had this..altho I am older but go to a good eye Dr. not an optician but an ophthalmologist. It may just be something they will have to watch but if it is the start of a detached retina, it needs to be fixed so he doesn't lose his eye sight.
After reading the responses, I would definitely take him in, but *my* first thought was that, when I close my eyes, I see "flashes" also, and I know there have been times I wasn't aware of blinking that I thought there was lightening or lights flickering; turns out it was just that flash of blinking. Ok, this makes me sound really dimwitted, but I swear, I'm just a tired mom. And I could totally see my 9 year old realizing this, experimenting with it, and then having it freak him out.
I do agree that you need to get it checked out, but let me ask... Is it always in bed as he is falling asleep? Because that is normal, to see light flashes as you fall asleep. Used to happen to me. During the day it's not normal (that I know of.)
