Assessment
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Flashes are visual effects where a person sees sudden flashes of light. (For "flashes" of warm feelings see "hot flashes".) Some of the effects are like flashing lights, an arc of light, or the feeling like a light-bulb has just flashed on and off in the periphery of vision.
Flashes need immediate medical diagnosis by an eye specialist because of the risk of the severe retinal detachment, which can cause vision loss. However, other causes of flashes (and floaters) are more common than retinal detachment, such as vitreous detachment due to aging.
Flashes are caused by improper stimulation of the eye's retina, or the optic nerve, which the brain interprets as light. Flashes may occur on movement of the eye, such as in vitreous detachment where the vitreous is pulling on the retina and eye movement exacerbates the effect.
Floaters are often associated with visual floaters, where the person sees spots, dots, lines, clouds or cobwebs in front of the eyes. Floaters are also a symptom of serious disease such as retinal detachment, but there are less serious possibilities also. Any floaters or flashes need immediate medical diagnosis by an eye specialist....more »
» Review Causes of Flashes: Causes | Symptom Checker » | Assessment Questionnaire »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Flashes.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 29 causes of Flashes
» Review Causes of Flashes: Causes | Symptom Checker » | Assessment Questionnaire »
Home medical tests possibly related to Flashes:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Flashes:
See full list of 3 types for Flashes
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Flashes, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Flashes
Review further information on Flashes Treatments.
Real-life user stories relating to Flashes:
Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Flashes or relevant symptoms:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Flashes. Some of these are listed below :
See full list of 11
diagnostic tests for Flashes
More Flashes animations & videos
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Flashes may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Flashes
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Flashes:
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques to assess the symptom: Flashes. These will include a physical examination and possibly diagnostic tests. (Note: A physical exam is always done, diagnostic tests may or may not be performed depending on the suspected condition) Your doctor will ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to openly share any pertinent information to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
It is also very important to bring an up-to-date list of all of your all medical conditions, medications including dosages, and names of numbers of any specialist you see.
Create your printable checklist here.
See Flashes Assessment Questionnaire (16 listings)
Read more about causes and Flashes deaths.
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
The list of organs typically affected by Flashes may include, but is not limited to:
The list below shows some of the causes of Flashes mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 29 causes of Flashes
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Flashes. Of the 29 causes of Flashes that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 29 causes of Flashes
The following list of conditions have 'Flashes' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Flashes or choose View All.
Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our free interactive user forums.
Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.
See a list of all the medical forums
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Flashes based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Flashes, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
Subtypes of Flashes:
Scotoma (8 causes)
Medical Conditions associated with Flashes:
Eye symptoms (5412 causes), Seeing lights (27 causes), Vision symptoms (2526 causes), Face symptoms (8109 causes), Head symptoms (10192 causes), Pain (6458 causes), Sensations (6520 causes), Brain symptoms (2787 causes), Neurological symptoms (9575 causes), Visual problems (2143 causes), Sensory symptoms (7134 causes), Nerve symptoms (9132 causes), Common symptoms (8589 causes), Body symptoms (5672 causes), Vision distortion (1970 causes)
Symptoms related to Flashes:
Cloudy vision (316 causes), Eye floaters (9 causes), Vision loss (688 causes), Vision changes (2526 causes), Migraine (37 causes), Vitreous detachment, Posterior vitreous detachment, Retinal conditions, Retinal injury, Retinal tear, Detached retina, Retinal artery occlusion, Blow to the eye
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Flashes and many other medical conditions:
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Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 1 February, 2012 (0:28)
