Photopsia

Photopsias are a visual phenomenon experienced by individuals with a variety of ocular or optic pathway pathologies. In lay terms they represent flashing lights, and can be divided into unstructured or structured photopsias, the latter referring to geometric shapes ². 

Pathology

Etiology

Causes of photopsia include ¹: 

• ocular

  • posterior vitreous detachment (most common)

  • retinal tear and retinal detachment

  • macular degeneration

  • choroidal neovascularization

  • retinitis pigmentosa

  • central serous chorioretinopathy

  • intraocular lens reflections

• intracranial pressure

  • pseudotumor cerebri

  • severe cough

• migraine

• hypoglycemia

• vertebrobasilar insufficiency

• Charles Bonnet syndrome

• digitalis toxicity