Photopsia

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

Pathology

Etiology

Causes of photopsia include :

• 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