Have you ever seen colored lights, glowing dots, or stars when you close your eyes or are in a very dark room? In medicine, we call these things Phosphenes because we see them inside our eyes, even when there is no light. Sometimes this can be a very normal, harmless thing. However, sometimes it can be the first symptom of a problem inside the eye or in the brain. So today, let's talk about these Phosphenes in a simple way.
What do these visible phosphenes actually look like?
People who have experienced this describe it in different ways. Some say it looks like a shiny powder floating in front of their eyes. Others say it looks like stars are flying. Sometimes, you can even see various geometric shapes. The important thing is that no external light actually needs to enter the eye to see these things.
Why do we see phosphenes like this? What are the main reasons?
There can be many reasons for phosphenes. Sometimes they can occur for no apparent reason. Let's look at the main causes.
Simple and common reasons
Imagine if you close your eyes and squeeze them a little with your hand, or if you squint your eyes, when you open them, you suddenly see a light, right? That's the simplest example of Phosphenes. Also,
- When the head hits something: We also say "I saw stars." When the head hits something hard, the pressure on the eye can stimulate the photoreceptor cells inside the eye, causing the light to shine through.
- When coughing or sneezing hard: Phosphenes can also occur at this time due to the pressure on the head and eyes.
- When standing up quickly: Some people, especially those with low blood pressure, may see stars flying before their eyes when they stand up suddenly from a sitting position. This is because blood flow to the brain is suddenly reduced.
Phosphenes caused by simple causes like these are usually nothing to worry about. They appear here and there and then disappear.
Medical reasons to consider
Phosphenes can occur for simple reasons, as well as as a symptom of some serious medical conditions. Let's break these down into two categories: eye problems and nervous system problems.
1. Retina problems
The retina is the light-sensitive membrane inside our eyes that captures light. It's like the film in a camera. Problems with this can cause phosphenes.
| Medical condition | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Retinal Detachment | This is a medical emergency. The retina detaches from the tissue that supports it. If not treated immediately, blindness can result. If you see floaters in front of your eyes along with phosphenes, see a doctor immediately. |
| Posterior Vitreous Detachment | The vitreous gel inside the eye moves away from the retina. This is a common condition that occurs as we age. |
| Eye damage due to diabetes (Diabetic Retinopathy) | If diabetes is not controlled, this condition can occur due to damage to the blood vessels in the eye. |
| Age-Related Macular Degeneration | This mainly affects central vision and is caused by damage to the macula, a part of the retina. |
2. Neurological problems
Phosphenes can also be a symptom of brain and nerve problems.
| Medical condition | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Optic Neuritis | Inflammation or infection of the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. This condition can sometimes be an early symptom of a disease called Multiple Sclerosis (MS). |
| Migraine | Some people experience visual disturbances (visual auras) before a migraine attack. During this time, they may see phosphenes, which are different lights or shapes. |
| Seizures | Mesmerism is caused by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. This electrical stimulation can cause phosphenes. |
| Other neurological diseases | These can also be seen in conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency. |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Phosphenes can also occur as a symptom of brain damage caused by a head injury. |
Other reasons
In addition to the above reasons,
- Radiation therapy for cancer, especially in the head, neck, or eye.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for neurological disorders such as depression.
- Use of certain medications, drugs, or alcohol.
- As withdrawal symptoms when stopping alcohol or certain medications.
When should we see a doctor about this?
This is the most important part. While it's normal to see these when you squint, if you have any of the following symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor, especially an ophthalmologist.
- If you frequently see phosphenes: If you constantly see lights before your eyes for no reason.
- If you see floaters: If you see objects like spider webs or black dots floating in front of your eyes when you look at the light, this could be a sign of retinal detachment.
- If your vision becomes blurry (Blurry vision) or you see things as two (Diplopia).
- If you are diabetic: If a person with diabetes experiences these symptoms, it may be a sign that eye damage is occurring.
- If part of your vision feels dark.
Phosphenes are not always dangerous. However, sometimes they can be an early sign of a serious illness. So if you have any doubts, or if you have a new symptom, it is safest and best to talk to your doctor and get it resolved without ignoring it.
How are phosphenes treated?
Simply put, there is no specific treatment for the symptom of phosphenes. Doctors try to find the underlying cause and treat that cause.
For example, if the cause is diabetes, the diabetes needs to be well controlled. If the cause is retinal detachment, it needs to be treated immediately. If it is migraine, then the right medication needs to be taken. So, finding the cause is the first and most important step in treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Phosphenes are when the eye sees lights, stars, or various shapes without any actual light.
- Phosphenes caused by simple causes such as rubbing your eyes, coughing, or hitting your head are usually nothing to worry about.
- However, they can also occur as a symptom of serious conditions such as retinal issues, neurological conditions, and diabetes.
- If you experience frequent phosphenes, accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision or seeing floaters, seek medical advice immediately, especially from an ophthalmologist.
- Treatment is not for the phosphenes themselves, but for the underlying medical condition that causes them. If you have any concerns about your eyesight, never ignore it.
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