Phosphene Phenomenon – Seeing Stars | Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment 2026

Phosphenes stimulate the retina as if there were a light source, but they actually originate from inside the eye. They are usually triggered by increased pressure on the eye (rubbing, sneezing, straining), eye trauma, or optic neuritis. While phosphenes typically disappear within a few seconds and are not a cause for concern, persistent photopsia can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

The Eye Center at Batal Specialist Complex in Saudi Arabia is considered one of the leading centers for managing vision problems, staffed by top eye specialists in the Middle East and equipped with the latest medical technologies.

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What Is the Phosphene Phenomenon?

Phosphenes are brief flashes or spots of light that appear in your vision without any actual external light source. They cause a visual phenomenon known as photopsia (often described as “seeing stars”).

Here is how the visual pathway works:

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What Do Phosphenes Look Like?

People usually describe phosphenes as unreal or “false” flashes of light that move chaotically across their visual field, including:

Phosphenes are also associated with visual hallucinations, which usually arise from the use of drugs or alcohol, severe stress, high fever, or certain psychotic disorders.

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Why Do Phosphenes Occur?

Phosphenes occur when the retina is activated by something other than light and begins sending abnormal “light flash” signals to the brain. These non-light stimuli can be internal or external and affect the primary visual cortex. They include:

Pressure on the eyes, orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when standing or sitting up too quickly), retinal inflammation, or optic neuritis can all cause episodes of photopsia.

A non‑invasive procedure called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic fields to induce phosphenes by stimulating the visual cortex. TMS‑evoked phosphenes help assess neural activation and cortical excitability.

Electrical stimulation (ES) involves applying a small electrical current to the retina using an occipital electrode attached to the skin around the eye. This produces phosphenes and is used to evaluate retinal and visual pathway function. Various ocular and systemic conditions can trigger phosphenes and persistent photopsia by altering visual processing and negatively affecting quality of life.

Ocular Migraine

People with ocular migraine (migraine with visual aura) experience visual disturbances that may or may not be accompanied by headache. Visual symptoms may include:

Ocular migraine is thought to result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain or reduced blood flow to the retina.

Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is a reduction of blood flow to the back of the brain, often age‑related. Decreased blood flow can cause transient photopsia in both eyes, with symptoms such as:

Age‑Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age‑related macular degeneration (especially the neovascular or “wet” form) causes a gradual loss of central vision and is a frequent cause of photopsia. These light flashes can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In exudative AMD, phosphenes are related to fluid accumulation that stimulates the outer retina.

Reported visual symptoms include multiple colors of light, such as:

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is an ophthalmic emergency in which the retina separates from the underlying layers of the eye. This can result in severe vision loss and even blindness if not treated promptly. Visual disturbances may include:

Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, frequently associated with multiple sclerosis. It can also cause phosphenes, often described as bright, colored flashes when entering a dark room, typically brought on or worsened by horizontal eye movements.

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Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retinal blood vessels caused by poorly controlled blood glucose in people with diabetes. As these vessels heal, scar tissue forms; when this scar tissue contracts, it can produce photopsia and eye floaters.

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Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS)

Charles Bonnet syndrome is characterized by visual hallucinations in individuals with partial or complete vision loss due to damage anywhere along the visual pathway. These hallucinations may appear as flashes of white or colored lights arising from the retina.

People with CBS also report seeing things that are not actually present, such as:

Medications

Certain prescription drugs can also induce phosphenes. Ivabradine, an antianginal medication used to lower heart rate in people with heart disease, can trigger phosphenes in some patients.

Studies indicate that more than 300 prescription and abused substances are known to cause visual hallucinations, including phosphenes. These medications include:

Other Common Symptoms of Photopsia

Other common symptoms that may accompany photopsia include:

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How to Get Rid of Phosphenes

Because phosphenes are usually a side effect of visual system stimulation (mechanical pressure, magnetic, or electrical) or a sign of an underlying health problem, resolving them depends on removing the trigger and treating the root cause. Many episodes of phosphenes resolve on their own (such as those related to migraine or optic neuritis). However, phosphenes can become persistent if there is structural damage to the eye or brain, which may indicate that the underlying condition is worsening.

You should see a doctor, especially if phosphenes are accompanied by:

It is important to have routine comprehensive eye examinations at the Eye Center at Batal Specialist Complex in Saudi Arabia, which is one of the best centers for early detection of vision problems before they significantly affect your quality of life.

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