Stars in front of the eyes are a common phenomenon. People often experience it on themselves, looking at bright surfaces, such as the sun. Usually it’s enough to blink several times, to look or to close your eyes for a while - and the dots go away by themselves. But in neglected cases, the causes of asterisks in the eyes are serious diseases of the retina that require immediate contact with an ophthalmologist. People with myopia or elderly patients are especially prone to this symptom.
What are the stars in the eyes
In medicine, another name for this phenomenon is fixed - photopsy. So called the simplest visual hallucinations, in which pointless images appear in the field of view, called dots, spots or asterisks. They do not have a fixed shape and create a sense of mobility. In this case, the causes of the stars in the eyes are an erroneous sensation of light.
The process appears in dark and lit places. In one eye or both. In seeing people, and in the blind. Photopsia usually appears with a long look at the sun, but it quickly passes if you turn away from it.
Additional symptoms
It is necessary to consult a doctor if the person does not know the causes of the stars in the eyes, but the following symptoms are observed:
- dizziness;
- pain in the eyeballs;
- sweating
- blurred perception;
- accelerated heartbeat.
Kelius Aurelianus first described photopsia as early as the 1st century. n e., characterizing it as a sign of migraine.
Types of Simple Visual Hallucination
Photopsia can be grouped into 4 categories:
- stripes or rings, sometimes zigzags, of white or yellow shades of different brightness;
- sudden and short sensation in the eyes of light, like a flash;
- white dots, they are asterisks, - are distinguished by brightness and speed of movement;
- small stripes or dots of black color that fluctuate with the eyeballs, they are also called flies.
Reasons for Photopsy
If this phenomenon appears before the eyes on its own, without the participation of light, this suggests that the causes of the stars in the eyes are disturbances in the body. First of all, photopsy can be caused by:
- ophthalmic diseases;
- ailments of the nervous system;
- myopia;
- anemia.
Ophthalmic diseases
Among the diseases that can cause stars in front of the eyes, there are vitreous destruction, mechanophosphene and retinal damage.
Vitreous destruction. The vitreous is a clear fluid that contains 99% hyaluronic acid, water and proteoglycans, it fills the area between the retina and the lens. Due to the effects of negative elements, the composition of the vitreous body changes, because of this, opaque components appear. Their man and watches, referring to the stars. Similar symptoms occur if blood, medicine, and other foreign substances enter the vitreous.
The disease is caused by other ophthalmic ailments, abnormalities in the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus and aging. Vitreous destruction in the later stages is not treated, but is a relatively harmless disease. It carries with it a photopsy that you can get used to. In the early stages of the disease, you can identify the root cause and get rid of it. At the same time, surgical intervention is possible, but undesirable: it can cause complications. This is a common cause of stars in front of the eyes of an adult.
The vitreous can also exfoliate from the back of the eye. In this case, white flashes occur. This pathology does not appear in the early stages, but in an advanced state it threatens with blindness. It is important to note that the process is natural for older people, since the connection between the vitreous and the eye weakens over time. For this reason, white stars in front of the eyes often appear in people during the aging period.
Photopsia can occur when you click on the eye through a closed eyelid. This is due to the peculiarity of the retina: it perceives various stimuli (x-rays, light, electrical impulses, mechanical stress). By means of mechanophosphene (a glow in the eye when pressing on the closed eye) it is possible to determine whether all areas of the retina are functioning correctly. The cause of the appearance of stars in the eyes may be mechanical damage to the eyeball.
Retinal lesions are diseases associated with its rupture or flaking. The part of the visual analyzer that is responsible for the perception of light is disturbed. An ailment can lead to blindness, therefore it is necessary to contact an ophthalmologist to determine the causes and treatment of asterisks in the eyes at the first signs.
Retinal damage is treated surgically at an early stage. The disease is most prone to people suffering from diabetes mellitus, pathologies of the endocrine system, vegetovascular dystonia and neurological disorders.
The ophthalmic cause of photopsy can be:
- lesions of the cornea;
- glaucoma;
- cataract;
- choroiditis;
- macular edema;
- retinal hemorrhage;
- retinopathy.
Neurological reasons
Another factor in the development of photopsy can be a neurological or cardiovascular disease. Among them are:
- hypertension
- ocular and head migraine;
- brain tumor;
- poisoning the body with toxic substances;
- cervical osteochondrosis;
- visual scotoma;
- traumatic brain injury;
- preeclampsia and eclampsia during pregnancy.
Photopsy Treatment
Simple visual hallucinations can be treated with pharmaceuticals. Drops for eyes "Emoksipin 1%" absorb stains. They are used 3 times a day for a month. A similar result is given by Wobenzym tablets. They are drunk 5 tablets 3 times a day, the duration of the course is 2-4 weeks. Drugs are usually supplemented with vitamin-mineral complexes with lutein.
There are surgical methods for treating the disease. Vitreolysis uses vitreolysis (dividing large opaque particles into small ones by laser) and vitrectomy (replacing the vitreous with saline). Both processes have many side effects, therefore they are resorted to only in extreme cases. In case of damage to the retina, a laser or tissue freezing is used to eliminate tears and stop retinal detachment.
Prevention
You can prevent a number of diseases and get rid of photopsy with the help of eye gymnastics.
Ophthalmologists advise doing a series of exercises. Sit on a chair and straighten your back, look alternately to the right, left, up, down. Glance needs to be translated quickly. Next, you should tightly close your eyes for a few seconds, sharply open your eyes, while relaxing your muscles, and calmly look forward for 10 seconds.
In no case should your eyes be rubbed or even touched with their hands. If necessary, rinse with running water.
Stars in the eyes may appear from overwork. In this case, you should postpone things, tear yourself away from the computer and sit for a few minutes with your eyes closed. You also need to walk more on the street, follow a healthy lifestyle and sleep the optimal number of hours for you.
Asterisks in the eyes (or photopsia) are visual hallucinations that result in spots, sticks, or bright flashes in front of the eyes. The phenomenon usually occurs when looking at bright objects, has a single character and quickly passes. If photopsy is repeated over time, you should consult a doctor. As this may indicate serious ophthalmic or neurological diseases.