The eyes are an extremely sensitive and intricate part of the body. It is no surprise, therefore, that they can also be the source of some strange and mysterious symptoms and sensations. Some of these symptoms are completely harmless. Others, however, may be indicative of larger problems in the vision or even the body as a whole. Here is a list of strange eye symptoms, what causes them, and what this may mean for your eye health.
Floaters
Almost everyone has experienced some type of floater in the vision. A floater is a small speck or string that appears in the vision. These floaters may appear to drift across the vision but will move quickly away when you try to focus on them. They may be more noticeable in bright light, or while looking at a large bright canvas such as the blue sky. The good news is that in many cases, these floaters are completely harmless. These floaters can be the result of tiny pieces of protein, or collagen, collecting at the back of the vision and casting shadows. However, if there is a sudden increase in floaters or they become more noticeable or bothersome, it is a good idea to contact your Denver optometrist. Severe cases may be the result of a detached or torn retina, eye disease, eye tumors, or bleeding in the vitreous.
Zig-Zags
Perhaps this describes you: you were going about your day when suddenly your vision felt strange. Pretty soon, you noticed a zig-zagging line across your vision, and the area around it appeared blurry. You tried to sit down and read something, but almost all of the words blurred together. However, within 20-30 minutes, the symptoms disappeared and your vision returned to normal. You may have experienced a migraine. Two different types of migraines may be indicated from these symptoms. The source of the migraine could either be the brain or the eyes. A visual migraine is the result of the brain, and usually occurs in both eyes. The zig-zagging lines will still be visible when you close your eyes. In an ocular migraine, the retina is the source of the migraine.
These migraines can be triggered by several different things. They can come as a result of stress, caffeinated beverages, spending time in bright lights, sleep deprivation, and even exposure to strong smells. Any time you experience zig-zags in your vision, even if it is an isolated incident, it is a good idea to visit your doctor to rule out any serious causes.
Patterns
Maybe you remember lying in bed with your eyes closed as a kid and seeing geometric shapes, patterns, and colors appear in your vision before you fell asleep. The reason for this is that, while you are falling asleep, your retinas certainly are not. Even when in complete darkness, such as a dark room with your eyes closed, the retinas are still producing electric charges. This can result in any number of lights and colors from stars and ring shapes to solid colors. These sensations, called phosphenes, can be induced by pressure on the eye as well as electrical stimulation to the brain. Researchers are now starting to believe that these colors and flashes of light are coming from Biophotons that can produce light, much like a firefly. These lights and colors are completely normal and are experienced by almost everyone. However, it is important to note that when bright flashes are experienced while the eyes are open and without pressure stimulation to the retina, this could be a sign of a medical problem and should be reported to your doctor.
Visual Snow
Everyone has some level of “visual noise” in their vision. In fact, if you concentrate, most people can see noise that looks like television static. While almost always present, this static does not affect the vision at all and will become immediately unnoticeable as soon as the individual stops trying to see it. However, some individuals experience visual noise that is impossible to ignore and can be disruptive to everyday life. This is called “visual snow.” This condition is characterized by white or blacks dots that flicker and dance around the vision making it difficult to focus. Although the cause is still unknown, it seems to be neurologically triggered rather than occurring within the eye itself.
While many strange sensations in the eyes are completely harmless, it is always a good idea to bring up these symptoms with your eye doctor. Any changes in vision, sudden flashing lights while the eyes are open, halos of light or color, double or blurry vision, eye pain, or vision loss should be immediately discussed with your optometrist. These can indicate serious problems that may need immediate treatment.