Photopsia

Photopsia is the presence of perceived flashes of light. It is most commonly associated with posterior vitreous detachment, migraine with aura, migraine aura without headache, retinal break or detachment, occipital lobe infarction and sensory deprivation (ophthalmopathic hallucinations). Vitreous shrinkage or liquifaction, which are the most common causes of photopsia, cause a pull in vitreoretinal attachments, irritating the retina and causing it to discharge electrical impulses. These impulses are interpreted by brain as 'flashes'.

This condition has also been identified as a common initial symptom of Punctate Inner Choroiditis (PIC), a rare retinal autoimmune disease believed to be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying the retina.

Photopsia can present as retinal detachment when examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. However, it can also be a sign of ocular melanoma. This condition is extremely rare (one in 5 million people will be affected, typically fair-skinned, blue-eyed northern Europeans) but if left untreated, will migrate to the liver and shorten life expectancy. Photopsia should be investigated immediately.

Another cause can be nervous spasms.

See also

• Fortification spectra

References

• Amos JF (1999). "Differential diagnosis of common etiologies of photopsia". J Am Optom Assoc 70 (8): 485–504. PMID 10506812. 
• Engmann, Birk (2008). "Phosphenes and photopsias - ischaemic origin or sensorial deprivation? - Case history." Z. Neuropsychol. 19(1): 7-13. ISSN 1016-264X DOI: 10.1024/1016-264X.19.1.7
• Chu, David S. (MD) (2001). Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation. http://www.uveitis.org/medical/articles/case/PIC.html
• Sihota, Ramanjit. Tandon, Radhika.(2011). Parsons' Disease of the Eye. year 2011. Edition 21st. Pages 90–91. ISBN:978-81-312-2554-7