Why do i see specks of light

This type of injury can scatter nerve signals in your brain and affect your vision temporarily. Something else may be happening inside the eye besides injury. There are various causes for these visual events. In some cases, pregnant women may experience an increased number of floaters, possibly due to high blood pressure or elevated glucose levels.

Floaters are tiny, cloudy spots that seem to drift in and out of your field of vision. Sometimes they can be caused by other conditions, including:. Your brain is made up of four main sections, or lobes. The occipital lobe is in the back of your brain.

Your occipital lobe processes those signals so your brain recognizes that image as a tree. If you get hit on the head, the tissue in your occipital lobe gets shaken up. Brain cells then send out random electrical impulses, which your brain interprets as flashes of light that may seem like stars. To understand why, it helps to know a little more about the anatomy of your eye. The retina is a thin tissue layer at the back of your eye that is light sensitive. The part of your eyeball directly in front of the retina contains vitreous, a gel-like substance that helps your eye keep its shape.

There are also tiny, very thin fibers in the vitreous. When these fibers pull on your retina or the gel rubs against your retina, you may see stars. If your retina gets pulled too hard or moves out of its usual position, the result can be a retinal detachment. This can cause you to see stars. It can also cause you to lose all or part of your vision in that eye. A detached retina can often be treated successfully with surgery.

One other cause of stars in your vision is a migraine headache. Not everyone who has migraines sees stars or colorful lights which are also known as aura , but many do. These are treated by ophthalmologists or optometrists, doctors specializing in eye health.

Traditional migraine headaches, as well as a blow to the head, can give you a lingering pain in your head to go with your starry visions. If you notice a change in your vision or have a sudden onset of flashes or floaters, call an ophthalmologist right away.

New or increased flashes or floaters can be a sign of a retinal detachment. About Foundation Museum of the Eye. By Reena Mukamal. Edited By Vered Hazanchuk.

Is Seeing Moving Dots Normal? Find an Ophthalmologist. Advanced Search. Ask an Ophthalmologist. Browse Answers. Floaters and flashes are usually harmless If you sometimes see: floaters — such as small dark dots, squiggly lines, rings or cobwebs flashes of light in your vision, it's not usually a sign of anything serious, especially if: you've had them for a long time they're not getting worse your vision is not affected Flashes may eventually stop, and floaters often become less noticeable as you get used to them.

Urgent advice: Get advice from now if:. Other ways to get help Get an urgent opticians appointment You can get your eyes checked at an opticians. Call an opticians near you and ask if you can have an urgent appointment. Find an opticians.