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Top 3 Reasons Why You See Flashing Lights in Your Eye

Has this ever happened to you? You’re going about your day—running errands, grocery shopping, taking care of yard work—when you suddenly see flashing lights in your eye that take you by surprise. You know it wasn’t a camera flash or a strike of lightning, but you’re not sure how to explain the phenomenon. To your luck, there’s a medical explanation for the flashing lights in your eyes.

Let’s explore the vision-related causes of these eye flashes and floaters along with when you need to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.

What Are Those Flashes and Floaters I Can See?

Both floaters and flashing lights in the eye are a result of shrinking vitreous. The vitreous is fluid in the back of the eye that protects the retina and helps the eye maintain its shape.

As your eyes’ vitreous supply naturally diminishes as they age, floaters drift in front of the retina—effectively blocking your field of vision. Dust-like floaters appear differently for everyone, and anyone can experience them as they age. People in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are most likely to experience floaters in their vision. However, other factors such as diabetes, nearsightedness, and past eye swelling issues can increase your risk of developing the eye condition.

Both flashing lights and floaters affect the retina. The retina’s job is to process light that enters your eye and then send that information to your brain. The vitreous is attached to the retina by small fibers. The friction that occurs on these fibers can lead to flashing lights in the eye.

Top 3 Vision-Related Causes of Flashing Lights in the Eye

This friction in the eye can be caused by a few different factors, and not all are vision-related. Health conditions such as migraines and diabetes along with medications can create flashing lights in the eyes.

There are four main vision-related conditions that cause flashing lights to appear. Take a look at what those conditions are, what causes them, and what their effects are:

Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Posterior vitreous detachment is one of the more common vision-related causes of flashes and floaters. As you age, the vitreous can detach. If this detachment occurs suddenly, the resulting friction can cause floaters and flashes of light to appear in the corner of your eye. This condition occurs naturally in people over the age of 40. While it cannot be prevented, it can be treated.

Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is a disorder of the optic nerve that causes swelling and inflammation. The swelling and inflammation can cause flashes of light in the eye and even lead to vision loss or blindness. Other common symptoms include eye redness, blurred vision, double vision, and headaches.

Retina Pressure

Excess pressure on the retina can result in flashes of light appearing in one or both of your eyes. The pressure can be caused by rubbing your eyes, coughing too hard, or getting bumped or hit on the head. Additional symptoms include dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and sore or burning eyes.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a condition in which the retina detaches from the underlying tissue in the back of the eye. When this detachment occurs, flashes of light may begin to appear. Other symptoms include scarring and swelling of the eye. Retinal detachment can be caused by injury due to trauma or inflammation, aging, and underlying eye disease. Since retinal detachment can lead to partial or total vision loss, it should be treated immediately.

When You Need To See an Eye Doctor for Flashing Lights in the Eye

While eye floaters are not hereditary, retinal tears and detachment can be. Since both eye floaters and flashing lights in the eyes result from retinal detachment, consult your eye doctor if you begin experiencing either phenomenon.

You should also see an eye doctor if you experience:

Blurry vision
Darkening vision
Vision loss
Dizziness
An eye injury
An increase in seeing flashes
An increase in seeing floaters
Frequent ocular migraines
Vision changes

Schedule an appointment today with an expert ophthalmologist to get an accurate diagnosis regarding the cause of flashing lights and floaters and to receive a customized treatment plan.

Receive Top-Notch Treatment From the Experts at Specialty Eye Institute

When it’s time to visit an eye doctor to discuss the floaters and flashing lights in your vision, go to the experts at Specialty Eye Institute. Our team of ophthalmologists and eye doctors will accurately diagnose your condition and provide a treatment plan designed for your unique vision needs.

We offer treatments for retinal detachments that can be performed in-office—such as laser retinal detachment surgery and retinal cryopexy. We use the most advanced equipment and techniques to perform these procedures, which enables us to produce optimal vision results for our patients.

Find a Specialty Eye Institute doctor at one of our convenient locations in Michigan or Ohio to receive the professional eye care you deserve. Schedule your appointment online or by calling (866) 435-8935 today.

When Should You Have Cataract Surgery? Symptoms & Causes

When to Have Cataract Surgery?

At the beginning of cataract formation, it may be easy to improve your vision through glasses, magnification, bifocals, visual aids, and appropriate lighting. When the cataract progresses to the point that it impairs vision and the way of life, it may be the right time to have cataract surgery.

Aging is considered as the primary factor of poor vision, but getting cataract surgery is painless and simple enough to get your clear vision back. According to PBA, visiting a certified ophthalmologist to perform cataract surgery is an excellent way to get your vision back, and it is the most successful surgery performed in the US, with more than three million Americans undergoing the surgery every year.

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is identified with the clouding of the natural lens in an eye. People who are over 40 are the most affected by cataracts when it comes to vision impairment. In addition, cataracts are the world’s primary cause of blindness.

To understand the seriousness of the widespread effect of cataracts, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) stated that cataracts are more common in comparison to the combined cases of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Cataracts now affect approximately more than 22 million Americans over the age of 46, and PBA states that the figure will rise to 30 million by 2020.

Symptoms and Signs of Cataracts

Cataract symptoms often include blurry vision, similar to looking through cloudy glass. You may also become more sensitive to light. Driving at night may become a challenge because the headlights from oncoming cars may cause more glare than they used to. If you are struggling to see the contrast between different colors or the colors you observe appear less vibrant, this is a sign it’s time to talk with a certified ophthalmologist about the advantages of having cataract surgery.

Tips & Insights: What Are The Signs of Macular Degeneration?

What Causes Cataracts?

The eye’s lens functions like the lens of a camera, it is used to focus light on the retina, and it adjusts the focus of the eye for you to see things clearly for both close or distant objects. The main components of the lens are protein and water.

The protein is organized in a way to keep the lens clear for the light to easily pass through. Over time, the protein may build up and form a small cloudy part of the lens. The cloud may become larger over time forming a cataract, which will make it harder for you to see.

The reason why the lens changes as we age is unknown to us, but doctors have identified factors that cause a cataract; they include:

Diabetes
Hypertension
Obesity
UV radiation
Smoking
High Myopia
Previous inflammation or eye surgery
Hormone replacement therapy
Use of corticosteroid medications
Statin medicines
High intake of alcohol

One of the known theories about the formation of cataracts is the oxidative changes in the lens. Nutrition studies support this theory because vegetables and fruits that have antioxidants can help prevent the cause of distinct types of cataracts.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

When you talk with an ophthalmologist about having cataract surgery, you will become familiar with the process of removing the clouded lens in your eye with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). Intraocular lenses are plastic in nature.

Recent developments in IOLs allow patients to have lens options based on their lifestyle. There are 4 main types of IOLs:

Monofocal lens – These lenses can provide clear distance vision for patients without astigmatism.
Multifocal lens – These lenses can provide a range of vision from near to intermediate to distance.
Astigmatism Correcting (Toric) lens – correct higher levels of astigmatism and provide clear distance vision. You will still need glasses for near and intermediate vision.
Depth-of-focus lens – This lens provides a continuous range of vision at all distances to fit your active lifestyle.

Men should also be careful to know that some prostate drugs can cause IFIS (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome) when cataract removal is being performed.

If there is a cataract in each of your eyes, typically cataract surgery is performed on your non-dominant eye first followed by your dominant eye 1-2 weeks later. The time between the two cataract surgeries is in case infection or complications occur.

Tips & Insights: What is the Recovery Timeline For LASIK Eye Surgery?

To prevent yourself from having cataract surgery, use antioxidant vitamins like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, and also wear sunglasses to block UV rays when you are enjoying the sun. If you are struggling to read or drive at night, this is a sign of vision issues that need to be diagnosed by a certified ophthalmologist or optometrist. Our staff of ophthalmologists offers innovative eye care solutions such as LASIK eye surgery, blepharoplasty surgery, glaucoma treatments, corneal transplants, and keratoconus options. Give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to discuss eye care treatments.

Schedule your cataract screening today!

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What Is The PanOptix Intraocular Lens (IOLs)?

What Is a PanOptix Intraocular Lens (IOL)?

If you’re suffering from cataracts, intraocular lenses (IOLs) can replace your clouded natural eye lenses with new artificial ones. The PanOptix lenses (IOLs) are trifocal and they allow for changes in distance vision just as natural lenses do. You’ll see things far away, mid-range, and up close. Unlike previous IOLs, PanOptix is the first and only FDA-approved trifocal lens. They give you enhanced intermediate-range vision and improved visual acuity.

Other FAQs about IOLs

What is Cataract Surgery?

When your natural eye lenses are too cloudy to see, a cataract procedure can replace them with IOL implants. It helps you get through the day without a visual barrier!

How Long Do IOL Lenses Last?

IOLs are made of a biocompatible material such as acrylic or silicone. This keeps your body from reacting negatively after surgery. They’ll never need replacement because they don’t break down over time.

Which IOL Lens Is Best?

The PanOptix IOL or lens was designed for people who live an active lifestyle. As the first and only FDA-approved trifocal lens, the PanOptix IOL gives a fuller range of vision that other IOLs can’t match.

Tips & Insights: 4 Top Eye Issues & Ways to Prevent Them

What is a Premium IOL?

A standard intraocular lens implant is monofocal: it stays at a fixed distance to see far away. Premium IOL implants, including PanOptix lenses, can do more than single-vision lenses. The PanOptix trifocal design delivers superior visual abilities.

Can IOLs Correct Astigmatism?

Yes! PanOptix IOL implants are available with a toric (astigmatism-correcting) option.

Can IOLs Move?

IOL implants can dislocate during or after surgery. Sometimes, they can even fall into the vitreous cavity. The IOL is normally repositioned or sutured in place, but vitreous surgery may be required to remove it after a fall.

Can IOLs Be Replaced?

IOLs can be replaced if they shift in your eye or if the prescription didn’t match as calculated—but this is rare. It’s not necessary either because they’re built to last a lifetime.

How Do IOLs Stay in Place?

Any intraocular implant placed into your eye stays there because it’s in the eye’s capsular bag. It’s what holds your natural lens too.

PanOptix IOL Lens & Eye Care Solutions Offered by Speciality Eye Institute

When it comes to seeing the world around you in full clarity, don’t let anything hold you back. Book an appointment with the ophthalmologists at Specialty Eye Institute to discuss the advantages of PanOptix lenses (IOLs). This may be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get complete visual acuity. Our team of doctors offers various types of eye care solutions such as LASIK eye surgery, refractive lens exchange treatments, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatments, and diabetic retinopathy eye care options. Want to see over long distances to drive? Or at arm’s length while on your computer? What about up close for reading? Give our team of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to discuss the advantages of investing in PanOptix intraocular lenses (IOLs). See and engage with every part of your life to the fullest when you consult us on your next visit.

Tips & Insights: What Is the Recovery Timeline For LASIK Eye Surgery?

Optic Nerve Damage & Eye Diseases

Optic nerve damage can cause irreversible vision loss. Whether partial or total, vision loss hinders our ability to complete daily tasks with ease. If you want to protect your vision, we strongly recommend scheduling an annual eye exam. Your eye doctor will check for signs of damage, among other conditions, to determine any necessary treatment plans.

Keep reading to learn about what causes optic nerve damage, what symptoms to look for, and how to treat it.

What Is an Optic Nerve?

The optic nerve is a tube-like structure of about one million nerve fibers connecting the back of your eyeball to your brain. It can be stimulated by light and is responsible for transmitting images and light from the retina to the brain. As part of the body’s central nervous system, the optic nerve is essential for collecting and processing visual information.

Causes of Optic Nerve Damage

When it comes to what causes optic nerve damage, there are two main categories: eye diseases, disorders and conditions, and eye injury or trauma.

Eye Diseases, Disorders, & Conditions

Glaucoma: Glaucoma can result in high intraocular pressure, blocked blood flow to the eye, or a buildup of fluid in the eye.
Optic neuritis: This is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes optic nerve inflammation.
Optic nerve atrophy: This condition causes the optic nerve to shrink and lose its ability to transmit signals from the eye to the brain.
Optic nerve head drusen: A deposit of cholesterol and protein forms in the eye’s optic disc, where the optic nerve connects to the eye. This deposit can restrict blood flow to the optic nerve, causing blurred vision or vision loss.
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: The blood flow to the optic nerve is cut off completely, which can cause anything from swelling to inflammation to fluid buildup.
Optic nerve compression: Excess pressure is put on the optic nerve, which can cause blindness.
Eye infection: Bacterial and viral eye infections—such as Lyme disease, measles, and chickenpox—can spread to the optic nerve and cause irreversible damage. These infections can also cause inflammation and swelling that restricts blood flow to the optic nerve.
Eye cancer: Tumor cells release a chemical that kills cells in the optic nerve. Tumors can also press on the optic nerve, causes inflammation and swelling, or block the flow of blood to the optic nerve.

Injury or Trauma

Stroke: A stroke can interrupt the optic nerve’s blood supply and block the flow of oxygen and nutrients to it.
Cerebral aneurysm: An aneurysm can leak or rupture unexpectedly, causing bleeding and swelling in the brain. Increased pressure due to the bleeding and swelling can damage blood vessels, including those supplying blood to the optic nerves.
Blood clot: Blood clots block proper blood flow from the optic nerve to the brain.
Diabetes: High glucose levels in the retina can damage the optic nerve.
Graves’ Disease: An overactive thyroid gland characteristic of Graves’ disease can cause the optic nerve to swell.
Medications: Medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis, can damage the optic nerve.

Symptoms of Optic Nerve Damage

Not all cases of optic nerve damage produce obvious symptoms. That’s why we recommend scheduling an annual eye exam so your eye doctor can detect any underlying signs of damage before they become more serious.

There are both eye-related and non-eye-related symptoms of optic nerve damage. The eye-related symptoms include:

Partial or total vision loss
Blurred vision
Double vision
Vision distortion
Redness
Inflammation
Eye pain
Eye bulging
Enlarged pupil
Weakened color vision
Inability to focus
Spontaneous eye movement

The non-eye-related symptoms include:

Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Joint pain
Memory loss
Dizziness
Nausea
Numbness
Inability to concentrate
Unexplained weight loss

Treatments for Optic Nerve Damage

While treatments can relieve symptoms and prevent further vision loss, they can’t restore vision that has already been lost. Always consult your eye doctor before moving forward with any treatments.

Common treatments for optic nerve damage include:

Eye drops
Steroids
Oral medicine
Laser therapy

Alternative methods to improve symptoms caused and prevent additional vision loss include:

Eating healthy
Exercising regularly
Wearing corrective lenses

The Industry’s Leader in Compassionate Eye Care

Whether you suffer from optic nerve damage or have glaucoma, Specialty Eye Institute is equipped with the eye care solutions you need to achieve better vision. Our expert ophthalmologists and doctors use the most advanced technology and techniques to develop innovative treatment options for every vision-related problem. That’s how we’ve led the charge in eye care excellence for over 40 years.

Start by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam. This will provide an accurate picture of your vision needs and help us create the most effective treatment plan. We look forward to meeting with you.

Botox Injections: What To Expect, Benefits, & Results

What is Botox?

While Botox has been used for cosmetic procedures, such as lifting fine lines and wrinkles, its ability to safely paralyze muscles and nerves also has great medical benefits. That’s because it contains a purified neurotoxic protein that stops a certain neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, from leaving your nerve endings.

An advantage of receiving botox injections around the eyes is reconstructing areas you’re unhappy with. They also aid in the alleviation of symptoms caused by health conditions including excessive sweating, uncomfortable neck muscle spasms, and issues around the eyes. To help you decide whether or not Botox treatments are the correct discussion for you, we have created an outline of what to expect, treatments, and results.

Common Botox Treatment Areas

When it comes to your vision, cosmetic and medical Botox injections can be placed around and under the eyes to treat conditions such as:

• Eye Twitching
• Drooping Eyelids
• Chronic Migraines
• Eye Dryness
• Excessive Tearing

Many plastic surgeons are trained in both medical and cosmetic Botox. This means you don’t necessarily need to find another oculoplastic professional if you’re interested in getting both options! If you are receiving a Botox treatment, you can expect to improve or eliminate issues including frown lines, crows feet, forehead lines, and sagging brows.

How Long Do the Results Of Botox Last Around the Eyes & Other Areas?

Technically speaking, Botox is only a temporary solution. This means you would need to go back into your Botox clinic every so often to get another treatment done and maintain optimal results. Medical and cosmetic Botox treatments are designed to impact the targeted muscles for three months. However, you may be able to visually see the results of Botox treatments for four to six months.

What to Expect From Botox Treatment

There’s a lot you should take into consideration before typing “Botox near me” into your search engine. You don’t want to randomly pick just any Botox clinic for your procedure! We recommend conducting research about the procedure, preparation, treatment, and recovery beforehand. Read on to find out exactly what to expect from a Botox clinic before deciding to move forward.

Before Your Botox Injections

Prior to getting Botox injections, you’ll need to set up a consultation at an accredited eye clinic in your area, such as Specialty Eye Institute. Here, you can meet with an expert oculoplastic surgeon to share your cosmetic or medical concerns and learn about what customized Botox treatment options are available to you.

At the Botox Clinic

If you haven’t had Botox injections in the past, it’s normal to be nervous going into your first Botox treatment. Rest assured—you’ll be in great hands under the care of a board-certified SEI oculoplastic surgeon.

Following your consultation, your eye doctor will use a thin needle to inject small amounts of Botox into the skin, muscles, and/or nerves around your treatment areas. Because of the tiny needle, Botox quantity, and quality of care at SEI, you shouldn’t expect to feel any pain: only minimal discomfort.

The number of injections you receive will depend on the severity of your eye condition, the type of Botox, the surface area of the treatment location, and other factors.

After Your Botox Treatment

Botox treatment recovery is typically quick, as long as you follow the doctor’s orders. You may notice small red bumps right after you receive your Botox injections, but those tend to fade within the first 20 to 30 minutes following your Botox treatment.

Should you develop a headache after your Botox treatment, consult with your doctor and see if you can take acetaminophen. Try to refrain from taking aspirin or other blood thinners otherwise.

It’s recommended to avoid physical activity for at least four hours, but you can wait longer depending on how you’re feeling. Be sure not to rub, massage, or touch your eyes for at least 24 hours so you don’t push the Botox and spread it into other areas. As always, listen to the recommendations provided to you by your doctor for the smoothest recovery.

Botox Treatment Results

The results of Botox treatments will take a small amount of time to become noticeable. You should not expect to see visual improvements right after leaving the clinic. Results can take several days, or weeks, to appear depending on the type of Botox treatment you receive. Remember—you’ll need to adjust your muscles to be more relaxed at the injection site(s) to make the most out of your new look or enjoy your improved eyesight.

When you begin to notice your condition slowly return, usually between three to six months following your Botox treatment, it’s time for a touch-up. Setting up a recurring Botox treatment schedule with SEI makes it simple to keep yourself or your vision in tip-top shape.

How Much Does Botox Cost?

Costs vary from one eye practice, or Botox clinic, to the next. Though for the most part, you can assume that a medical Botox procedure has a higher chance of being covered by your insurance than a cosmetic one.

The cost of Botox itself is priced per unit. The cost of each injection is between $10 to $15. For example, a cosmetic forehead smoothing procedure takes an average of 20 injections. You could pay anywhere from $200 to $300. These injections tend to be more cost-effective than surgery—especially surgery on eye muscles.

Cosmetic and Medical Botox Treatment at SEI

When it comes to your eyes, you don’t want to take a chance on just any local Botox clinic. Our team of doctors offers innovative Botox treatments to clients in your area. In addition, our staff provides innovative blepharoplasty surgery and treatments to accommodate your unique needs. Our team is committed to offering premium eye care services to help you improve or preserve your vision. Our staff of ophthalmologists and doctors offer various types of eye care solutions such as cataract surgery, retinal detachment treatments, LASIK eye surgery, refractive lens exchange treatments, and corneal transplants. Give our doctors a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 or contact our team online to learn more about how our Botox treatments and eye care solutions can improve your vision and life.