Why You See Stars in Your Vision (and When to Worry)

Noticed flashes of light or sparkles in your vision? Before you rush to make a doctor’s appointment, take a deep breath. It’s called photopsia, and while it can sometimes signal an underlying issue, it’s often completely harmless. Here’s what’s going on, and when (if ever) you should be concerned.

CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE OF MEDICAL ADVICE.
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Ever seen stars or sparkles pop up out of nowhere?

Nope, you’re not turning into a superhero. It usually means something’s messing with your retina or brain.

Think of your retina as the backstage crew of your eye. It’s job to catch light and send signals to your brain. But here’s the catch, it doesn’t know shapes or colors. In front of it sits a jelly-like goo called vitreous humor, acting like a bodyguard. Sometimes that goo shifts or shrinks, poking the retina and making it fire off “Hey, there’s light!” signals, even when there isn’t. Your brain believes it, and boom, sparks and stars!

It’s called photopsia. This is the fancy medical term for those sudden flashes, flickers, or sparkles of light that appear out of nowhere.

Photopsias usually appear as:

• Quick flashes of light
• Tiny bright dots
• Zigzags or streaks
• Sparkles
• Flickers or bands of light
• A swirl of colors

Sometimes, they’re totally harmless, just your eyes reacting to pressure or movement. Other times, they can be a warning sign of something more serious, like a concussion or an eye condition.

Why do you see stars in your vision?

The classic “seeing stars” moment usually happens when something triggers your eye’s photoreceptors, like pressure or a sudden change in blood flow.

Here are some common reasons:

• Standing up too fast. A quick movement can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, making you feel lightheaded and see flashes.
• Rubbing your eyes. Pressing on your eyeballs can create little bursts of light, thanks to pressure on the retina.
• Sneezing or coughing hard. The sudden force can mess with blood flow and momentarily affect your vision.
• An MRI scan. The changing magnetic field can stimulate your visual cortex, making you see flashes.
• EEG tests. These can trigger light flashes by stimulating the retina.

Most of the time, these flashes are harmless and disappear quickly. But sometimes, they point to something more serious.

When should you be concerned about these stars?

If your flashes of light seem to come out of nowhere, or they come with other symptoms, it might be time to check in with a doctor. Some conditions linked to photopsia include:

• Migraines with aura. Seeing flashes along with a headache? You might be dealing with a visual migraine. These can sometimes indicate a higher stroke risk, so they’re worth discussing with a doctor.
• Concussions. A hard hit to the head can make the gel inside your eye move, causing flashing lights. If you see stars after a head injury, get medical attention right away.
• Retinal detachment. Seeing both flashes and black spots? This could mean your retina is pulling away from the back of your eye. It’s an emergency, if untreated, it can lead to vision loss.
• Preeclampsia (pregnancy complication). High blood pressure during pregnancy can cause vision disturbances. If you’re pregnant and noticing flashing lights, call your doctor ASAP.
• Wet macular degeneration. If you see swirling colors along with flashes, this could be the cause.
• Medication side effects. Some drugs, including those used to treat malaria, can cause vision issues.
• Diabetes. High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your retina, leading to vision changes like flashes or floaters.

How to keep your eyes healthy?

If your light flashes aren’t linked to a medical condition, they’ll probably go away on their own. Still, keeping your eyes in good shape is always a smart move.

• Get regular eye exams. Early detection is key to preventing bigger problems.
• Eat eye-friendly foods. Omega-3s, vitamin A, C and E help keep your vision sharp.
• Protect your eyes. Wear goggles when playing sports or working with tools to avoid injury. Look for sunglasses with 100% protection against UVA and UVB or UV400, ensuring complete UV coverage.
• Pay attention to changes. If you’re seeing stars more often, or if something feels off, don’t ignore it. Get checked out.

Most of the time, seeing stars is just a weird quirk of your vision. But if those flashes come with headaches, dizziness, or dark spots, it’s best to get checked, because when it comes to your eyesight, better safe than sorry.

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