I have what looks like (to me) firefly flashes of light in my left eye, what could this be?

Question

I call them fireflies because they zig zag from top to bottom... and they are just sporatic light flashes... should i be concerned?

Answer 1

This could be serious. Retinal detachment can have these symptoms.

Answer 2

Yes.  It could be something as simple as ocular migraines or a complicated as a detached retina.  Call an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist tomorrow.

Answer 3

This is a sign that something has happened to your retina. You didn't specify your age so I'll give you a couple of possibilities.

you've suffered a retinal detachment.

the aqueous humour ( fluid inside the eye ) has separated from the retina and is irritating it.

a hole is developing in the retina (common as we age)

As the other responders have stated, Go to your doctor or an ophthalmologist quickly. All of these can be corrected to some degree if attended to immediately.

If you drive take another driver with you. And dark sunglasses.They give you killer eye drops that render your eyes useless in any kind of bright light. Yor eyes will be dilated for 3-4 hours after the examination.