 |
 |
Moore's Lightning Streaks are very brief perceived light flashes in the periphery of an eye, often stimulated by an eye movement. They are caused by mechanical tugging on the retina by the vitreous. During the normal aging process, the vitreous gel condenses and the vitreous pulls away and eventually separates from the retina [like pulling saran wrap off the chocolate pudding leaving the pudding skin intact]. This "Vitreous detachment" happens to everybody and the occurrence of Moore's lightning streaks is a common accompaniment. Usually, the flashes resolve in a few days or weeks when the vitreous detachment is safely completed. Rarely, as the vitreous detaches from the retina a piece of retina sticks to the vitreous causing a small hole or tear in the retina, through which fluid can track, forcing the retina to billow out away from its supportive cells -- a so-called "retinal detachment." This is often heralded by lots of flashing and many new dark "floaters" and even loss of visual field. Such symptoms should be evaluated immediately by an ophthalmologist/retina specialist because a retinal detachment requires prompt repair. [Sometimes laser is enough, but if you wait too long actual surgery is required and may not be fully successful at reattaching the retina.] So, don't be scared by brief, peripheral light flashes but don't ignore flashes and floaters. Jacqueline Winterkorn, PhD, MD