Visual Flicker and Vibration Sensations in Myopia

Q: Visual Flicker and Vibration Sensations in Myopia

Hello： Here are the possible reasons： 1. <br>Posterior Vitreous Detachment： Your doctor mentioned that you may be experiencing posterior vitreous detachment. <br>This can lead to symptoms such as floaters and occasional flashes of light. <br>2. <br>Visual Disturbance： This sensat

Visual flickering, vibration sensation?

Hello Doctor: I have high myopia and a few months ago I discovered floaters, and recently I've been experiencing flashes.
I have visited clinics multiple times, but no issues were found; they suggested it might be a process of posterior vitreous detachment.
However, my flashes do not resemble the bright lights or camera flashes described online; instead, I experience a "shaking sensation" in my field of vision.
When I cover one eye, I see the images jumping, and my usual field of vision appears calm, but upon closer inspection, I notice a slight vibration that seems to pulse with my heartbeat.
At night, when I am tired (without my glasses), the shaking sensation becomes more pronounced, and I experience the flashes, which feel like my vision suddenly shakes or flickers.
This process is quick, and sometimes I don't notice it unless I pay attention.
I mentioned this situation to my doctor, but he seemed to have difficulty understanding.
I would like to know if this is nystagmus, or if what I am seeing is just the normal pulsation of blood vessels in my eyes.
If it were nystagmus, the doctors should have mentioned it during my dilated eye exams, but I have visited many clinics for dilation, and they all said there were no issues.
I also went to a retina specialist and underwent OCT, visual field tests, and color fundus photography, all of which showed no problems.
I'm not quite sure how to ask this...
Is it common for people to see the pulsation of blood vessels in their eyes? Or can one see vibrations upon closer inspection, especially when covering one eye?

Zeng, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/05/07

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology

Hello: Here are the possible reasons: 1.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment: Your doctor mentioned that you may be experiencing posterior vitreous detachment.
This can lead to symptoms such as floaters and occasional flashes of light.
2.
Visual Disturbance: This sensation is not common, but it may be related to issues with the eye or nervous system.
The pulsation of ocular blood vessels typically does not cause a noticeable sensation of visual disturbance.
It could be due to vitreous movement causing optical responses.
3.
Nystagmus: Nystagmus is usually identified during an ophthalmic examination in the clinic.
Since you mentioned that multiple dilations and other specialty examinations did not reveal any issues, nystagmus is unlikely to be the cause of the symptoms you described.
4.
Certain retinal or neurological issues could lead to your sensation of visual disturbance, but given that you have undergone multiple examinations without finding any problems, the likelihood of these causes is low.
5.
Recommendation: You should continue to stay in contact with your ophthalmologist and provide a detailed description of your symptoms for further evaluation.
The doctor may need to conduct more detailed examinations or further neurological assessments to rule out other possible causes.
Finally, if your symptoms suddenly worsen or new symptoms arise, please seek an ophthalmic examination immediately to ensure your eye health.

Reply Date: 2024/05/07

More Info

Understanding visual flicker and vibration sensations, especially in individuals with high myopia, can be quite complex. Your experience of visual disturbances, such as flickering or vibration sensations, is not uncommon among those with high myopia, particularly when associated with conditions like floaters and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).
High myopia can lead to various changes in the eye, including alterations in the vitreous gel that fills the eye. As the vitreous gel undergoes liquefaction and detachment from the retina, it can create sensations of visual disturbances. The flickering or vibration you describe, especially when you cover one eye, may be related to the way your brain processes visual information from each eye. When one eye is covered, your brain relies solely on the input from the other eye, which may be experiencing slight instability due to the changes in the vitreous.

The sensation of seeing images "jumping" or "vibrating" could also be related to a phenomenon known as oscillopsia, which is the perception that stationary objects are moving. This can occur due to various reasons, including issues with the vestibular system or visual processing in the brain. However, given that you have undergone extensive examinations, including OCT, visual field tests, and retinal imaging, and no significant abnormalities were found, it is less likely that a serious underlying condition is present.

Regarding your question about seeing the pulsation of blood vessels in your vision, it is generally not typical for individuals to perceive their blood vessels in such a manner. However, in certain conditions, particularly when the eyes are under strain or fatigue, some individuals may become more aware of their visual environment, leading to heightened sensitivity to subtle movements or changes in light. This could explain why you notice these sensations more when you are tired or not wearing your glasses.

It's also important to consider the role of visual fatigue. Prolonged screen time or focusing on near objects can lead to eye strain, which may exacerbate any existing visual disturbances. When your eyes are fatigued, the muscles controlling eye movement may not function as efficiently, leading to sensations of instability or flickering in your vision.

In summary, while your symptoms may be concerning, they are not uncommon in individuals with high myopia, especially those experiencing changes in the vitreous. The flickering or vibration sensations you describe could be attributed to a combination of vitreous changes, visual processing, and fatigue. It is crucial to maintain regular check-ups with your eye care professional, especially if your symptoms change or worsen. If you continue to experience significant discomfort or if new symptoms arise, seeking a second opinion or further evaluation may be beneficial to ensure that all potential causes are thoroughly investigated.

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