Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Good afternoon. Has anyone experienced spark like light flashing in their peripheral vision along w/a mild headache?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Fairfax, VA
April 2
 · 
Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

I have had symptoms like this too. I’ve had it associated with headaches as well as an optic neuritis. However, I recently experienced these same symptoms with a vitreal detachment at age 52. The only other thing was that it was accompanied by blurred vision in my left lateral visual field. More than you ever wanted to know…your symptoms may not be related to this but it was something I never knew about.

April 2
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes visual migraine

April 2
A MyMSTeam Member

I think they call that a migraine

April 2
MyMSTeam

Have you experienced spark-like light flashing in your peripheral vision along with a mild headache?

Yes, visual disturbances like flashing lights are reported by people with MS. Vision problems are actually among the most common MS symptoms, with about 90% of people with MS reporting at least one visual complaint.

Flashing Show Full Answer

Have you experienced spark-like light flashing in your peripheral vision along with a mild headache?

Yes, visual disturbances like flashing lights are reported by people with MS. Vision problems are actually among the most common MS symptoms, with about 90% of people with MS reporting at least one visual complaint.

Flashing lights in your peripheral vision could be related to several MS-related issues:

- Optic neuritis - inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause various vision changes and pain
- Light sensitivity (photophobia) - which can make bright lights bothersome and trigger headaches
- General visual disturbances - MS can affect how the brain processes visual information

The combination of visual flashes and headache is particularly noteworthy. Studies show that up to two-thirds of people with MS experience headaches, with migraines being the most common type.

It's important to contact your neurologist or healthcare provider about these symptoms, especially if they're new or worsening. While floaters and flashes can sometimes be harmless, sudden new visual changes should always be evaluated by a doctor to rule out optic neuritis or other issues that may need treatment.

Your care team can determine if this is MS-related or if other factors might be involved, and they can recommend appropriate treatment if needed.

April 2

Related Questions

View All

Eye sight

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Pretoria, ZA
February 18, 2018

Navigating the site

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Oxnard, CA
June 20, 2016

Eyesight symptoms

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Seattle, WA
February 25, 2019

Multiple Sclerosis Is Like a Ninja
What Are the Functions of Antibodies? Their Role in Immunity
Why I Manage My Health Like a Business
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In