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Moore's lightning streaks

AI overview

Moore's lightning streaks are lightning type streaks (photopsia) seen to the temporal side due to sudden head or eye movement in the dark.

Key points
  • They are caused by shock waves in the vitreous humor hitting the retina or traction on the retina from fibers in the vitreous humor.
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    They are generally caused by shock waves in the vitreous humor hitting the retina or traction on the retina from fibers in the vitreous humor
  • The condition implies that the vitreous is softer than normal.
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    The implication is that the vitreous is softer than normal
  • They are named after Robert Foster Moore (1878–1963), a British ophthalmologist.
    source quote
    They are named after Robert Foster Moore (1878–1963), a British ophthalmologist
Symptoms
  • Lightning type streaks (photopsia) seen to the temporal side.
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    lightning type streaks ( photopsia ) (seen to the temporal side)
  • Triggered by sudden head or eye movement in the dark.
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    due to sudden head or eye movement in the dark
Red flags
  • Retinal detachment, a serious condition, can also cause flashes in the eye.
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    retinal detachment , a serious condition, also can cause flashes in the eye
  • Professional advice should be sought in cases of doubt.
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    Professional advice should be sought in cases of doubt
  • Many new tiny black floating specks in the vision may indicate a more serious condition.
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    do not occur along with many new tiny black floating specks in the vision
Prognosis

Generally not a cause for alarm provided they are momentary, occur only in the dark, are due to sudden head movements, and do not occur along with many new tiny black floating specks in the vision.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Moore's lightning streaks”. Not medical advice. Verify source →

Moore's lightning streaks are lightning type streaks (photopsia) (seen to the temporal side) due to sudden head or eye movement in the dark. They are generally caused by shock waves in the vitreous humor hitting the retina or traction on the retina from fibers in the vitreous humor. The implication is that the vitreous is softer than normal, generally this is not a cause for alarm provided they are momentary, occur only in the dark, are due to sudden head movements (acceleration) and do not occur along with many new tiny black floating specks in the vision. Professional advice should be sought in cases of doubt, as retinal detachment, a serious condition, also can cause flashes in the eye.

They are named after Robert Foster Moore (1878–1963), a British ophthalmologist.

  • Moore R (1940). "Subjective lightning flashes". Am J Ophthalmol. 23: 1255.
  • Verhoeff FH (May 1956). "Are Moore's lightning streaks of serious portent?". Am J Ophthalmol. 41 (5): 837–40. PMID 13313677.