Brain Injury & Flashes of Light

Recently I developed flashes of light in my left eye.  For almost three months and five different healthcare professionals, I still don’t know what is causing these flashes of light.  Each doctor claims to not know why I’m getting these flashes of light.  Typically, flashes in your eye means the retina is tearing – I’ve seen a retina specialist and they have determined that my retina is fine – which is GREAT – the challenge now is finding a doctor to listen and who is willing to help me determine what is wrong.  I’ve had an MRI, MRA, CatScan and a series of eye tests which all have turned up with negative results and no answers to what is causing the problem.  The frustration with being a Brain Injury Survivor is many doctors don’t try to figure out what is wrong and will blame it on the brain and the old injury.  I’m sure there is a connection; however, doctors shouldn’t so easily dismiss the symptoms and want to help brain injury survivors receive the necessary treatment.   I find it unacceptable when a doctor tells me that “I’ll just have to get use to living with the flashes”, or they have no idea and then dismiss me.  Only to be left alone in finding why I still have flashes and what kind of specialist would be able to help identify what is happening.  There has to be a reason as to why the flashes started and a solution.  The flashes occur when I actively do something like take a shower, blow dry my hair or even when I’m engaged in a conversation.  I can have 50 to 100 flashes a day which can be very distracting when trying to talk with someone or try to do something.  The multiple flashes then cause pain in the eye and surrounding area and then pain throughout the head. So far, I’ve seen my primary care physician, ophthalmologist, retina specialist, neuro-optomotrist, and a neurologist and now I’m heading to a neuro-opthamologist.  This has been a long journey of pain, dizziness, disorientation, frustration and many other symptoms as the flashes have created problems for the brain injury.  Many of my original brain injury symptoms have returned making me feel like I’ve had a set back from the growth I’ve obtained over the many years of recovery. 

Elisa, thanks for your question.  There have been two opportunities that I’m aware of for brain injury organizations to share their stories - one was at the Capital in Washington, DC today, March 17 and the other was in Trenton, NJ - the state capital of New Jersey on March 13.  Individuals can always help create awareness by helping to spread the word about brain injuries.  Here is a web site that provides some tools such as a green magnet to be displayed on cars, refrigerators, etc.  http://www.bianj.org/individual-awareness

Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.  This month has been designated to help build awareness and education around this “silent epidemic” of brain injury. By raising awareness we should be able to reduce the number of injuries sustained each year as well as help educate the public and healthcare professionals on the challenges brain injury survivors face each day.