I had problems kina like that with Optic Neuritis..Actually more like a light show when I closed my eyes at night. Sometimes I still see something like a bright light shinning behind me when I close my eyes. Weird!

Yes occasionally in my peripheral vision.

I have. But, I also have had episodes where I see so many bright, flashing lights that it obscures my vision for a time. I've heard it's called a visual migraine but I really have no clue.