Although migraine sufferers often experience flashing lights, or photopsias, during a migraine episode, photopsias may also be a symptom of a retinal tear, a potentially blinding problem. With migraine, light flashes usually last up to 30 minutes and appear in both eyes. Unlike a migraine attack, lights seen with a retinal tear appear only in one eye, and tend to come and go without a defined length of time. Although flashes from migraine and retinal tears differ, it can be difficult to specifically determine their cause. Be sure to contact your Retinologist at High Country Macula whenever you experience flashes of light, and share with friends or loved ones who suffer from migraine.
