# What Causes Flashes of Light in the Eye?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/what-causes-flashes-of-light-in-the-eye

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-08

> **Summary:** Flashes of light in the eye usually occur when the gel-like vitreous moves suddenly or pulls away from the retina, and they are most common in older people. They can be harmless, but they can also signal a retinal tear or detachment, so anyone seeing them should be examined by an ophthalmologist.

## Quick Facts
- **Main mechanism:** Movement or separation of the vitreous from the retina
- **Most common cause outside the eye:** Migraine
- **Migraine flashes:** Usually in one area, lasting around half an hour, often zigzag
- **Emergency signs:** Sudden flashes, a marked increase in floaters, or a curtain over the field of vision
- **No medicine stops flashes:** Treatment depends on the cause

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## Causes
Inside the eye:
- Vitreous detachment or deformation (the vitreous separating from the retina)
- Retinal tears
- Retinal haemorrhage
- High myopia, which can bring flashes and retinal tears

Outside the eye:
- Migraine (most common)
- Less often, certain medicines and conditions affecting the brain and visual pathways
- A blow to the eye or head, which can cause a retinal tear and needs examination

Only an eye examination can show whether flashes are harmless or the first sign of a serious problem.

## Symptoms
- Bursts of light when looking at bright surfaces or a light
- A sudden, temporary sense of a flash
- Flashes increasing with eye or head movement
- Flashes at the centre or edges of the field of vision
- Spots or lines drifting in the eye

## Migraine-Related Flashes
- Generally form in a single area and can last around half an hour.
- Usually zigzag shapes; sometimes firework-like flashes.
- Usually brief and pass on their own, but flashes appearing for the first time should still be checked.

## Treatment
The doctor first carries out a detailed eye examination, then treats the cause:
- **Vitreous detachment:** usually no treatment; monitored with check-ups at set intervals.
- **Retinal tear:** laser seals the area around the tear to help prevent detachment.
- **Retinal detachment:** surgery.
- **Migraine-related flashes:** the migraine itself is treated.

Left untreated, a retinal tear can lead to permanent problems and even sight loss, so symptoms should not be taken lightly.