Photopsia
JUN 20, 2013
Question:
I have been told I have photopsia. Can you tell me what this is and what causes it? Is it serious and can it be cured or corrected?
Answer:
Photopsia is a symptom not a diagnosis. Therefore I am not sure what it means to say that you have been told you have photopsias. To answer this question one would need to know exactly what you are experiencing. Photopsias are flashes of light that are usually brief and intermittent. Many, many conditions can cause photopsias and these can be benign or problematic. They can be caused by problems with the vitreous, retina and nerve of the eye. They can also be neurological in origin and not related to any eye issue. Therefore, the causes and treatments can only be determined by a much more detailed description of your symptoms as well as a comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist.