Flashes of lights generally result from irritation/traction of the retina or tugging on the retina, which sends the brain a signal that light has been seen. The most common cause of this is a posterior vitreous detachment (or PVD, the normal age-related shrinking of the vitreous gel). Vitreous gel clumping is often part of this process and is frequently noticed as floaters. If the contracting (“clumping”) vitreous gel is putting traction on the adjacent retina, then it could cause flashes. If these symptoms are new, see your ophthalmologist to evaluate the condition of your retina.
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