Why do yellow spots appear in your vision. What conditions can cause yellow spots. How to differentiate between harmless and serious causes of yellow spots. When should you consult an eye doctor about yellow spots.

Understanding Yellow Spots in Vision: Common Causes and Concerns

Experiencing yellow spots in your vision can be an unsettling experience. These visual disturbances may manifest as bright flashes, persistent dots, or hazy areas in your field of view. While sometimes harmless, yellow spots can also indicate underlying health issues that require prompt attention.

Can yellow spots be a sign of a serious condition? In some cases, yes. Yellow spots may result from various factors, ranging from minor eye irritations to more severe medical conditions. Understanding the potential causes and associated symptoms can help you determine when to seek professional help.

Head Injuries and Yellow Spots: A Cause for Immediate Concern

Head injuries can have significant impacts on vision, including the appearance of yellow spots. These visual disturbances may occur due to damage to the brain or optic nerve, or even bleeding within the eye itself.

How quickly should you seek medical attention after a head injury with vision changes? If you’ve recently experienced a head injury and notice any changes in your vision, including yellow spots, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Prompt evaluation can help prevent potential long-term complications and ensure proper treatment.

Symptoms to Watch For After a Head Injury:

• Persistent yellow spots or flashes in vision
• Blurred or double vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty focusing or tracking objects
• Headaches or pressure behind the eyes

Retinal Conditions and Their Impact on Vision

The retina plays a crucial role in our visual perception, and various conditions affecting this delicate structure can lead to the appearance of yellow spots in vision.

Retinal Detachment: A Medical Emergency

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back of the eye, potentially leading to permanent vision loss if left untreated. This condition can cause cells to fire randomly, resulting in flashing lights or colored spots, including yellow ones.

How can you identify symptoms of retinal detachment? Be alert for the following signs:

• Sudden increase in floaters (dark specks or squiggly lines in vision)
• Flashes of light in peripheral vision
• A dark curtain or shadow spreading across your field of view
• Blurred or distorted central vision

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially in combination with yellow spots, seek immediate medical attention. Early intervention is crucial for preserving vision in cases of retinal detachment.

Diabetic Retinopathy: A Complication of Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina. As the condition progresses, it can lead to fluid leakage in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

How does diabetic retinopathy affect vision? The condition can cause various visual disturbances, including:

• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Dark or empty areas in your field of view
• Difficulty perceiving colors
• Spots or floaters, which may appear yellow in some cases

Regular eye exams are essential for people with diabetes to detect and manage diabetic retinopathy early. Proper blood sugar control and timely treatment can help prevent or slow the progression of this condition.

Migraines with Auras: A Common Cause of Visual Disturbances

Migraines are more than just severe headaches; they can also cause visual disturbances known as auras. These auras can manifest in various ways, including the appearance of yellow spots in vision.

What triggers migraine auras, and how long do they typically last? Migraine auras can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Stress and anxiety
• Hormonal changes
• Certain foods and beverages
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Environmental factors like bright lights or strong odors

Typically, migraine auras last between 5 to 60 minutes and may be followed by the headache phase of the migraine. However, some people experience auras without developing a headache, a condition known as ocular migraine or migraine with aura without headache.

Recognizing Migraine Aura Symptoms

Visual disturbances during a migraine aura can vary widely between individuals. Common symptoms include:

• Flashing lights or colored spots (including yellow)
• Zigzag lines or geometric patterns
• Blind spots or areas of blurred vision
• Visual snow or static-like effects
• Distorted perception of size or shape of objects

If you frequently experience these symptoms, especially if they’re new or changing, consult with a healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Eye Melanoma: A Rare but Serious Condition

Eye melanoma, also known as ocular melanoma, is a rare form of cancer that develops in the cells responsible for producing pigment in the eye. While uncommon, this condition can cause serious vision problems and potentially spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

How does eye melanoma affect vision, and what are the risk factors? Eye melanoma can cause various visual disturbances, including:

• Yellow flashing spots or other colored flashes
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Dark spots in the visual field
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Sensation of flashes or specks of dust in vision

Risk factors for eye melanoma include:

• Fair skin and light-colored eyes
• Older age (risk increases with age)
• Certain inherited skin conditions
• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, including from the sun

To reduce your risk of eye melanoma, it’s essential to protect your eyes from UV radiation by wearing sunglasses and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours.

Transient Ischemic Attack: A Warning Sign for Stroke

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a “mini-stroke,” occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily blocked. While TIAs typically don’t cause permanent damage, they serve as important warning signs for potential future strokes.

How can a TIA affect vision, and what should you do if you suspect one? If a TIA affects the blood vessels leading to the eye, it can cause temporary vision changes, including:

• Sudden appearance of yellow spots or other visual disturbances
• Temporary vision loss in one or both eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Difficulty focusing or tracking objects

Other symptoms of a TIA may include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Severe headache with no known cause
• Dizziness or loss of balance

If you experience any of these symptoms, even if they resolve quickly, seek immediate medical attention. TIAs are medical emergencies, and prompt evaluation can help prevent a more severe stroke in the future.

Medication Side Effects and Vision Changes

Certain medications, particularly those used to treat heart conditions, can cause visual side effects, including the appearance of yellow spots or other visual disturbances.

Which medications are known to cause vision changes, and what should you do if you experience them? Some medications associated with visual side effects include:

• Ivabradine: Used to treat heart failure, may cause bright spots or colored lights in vision
• Digoxin: Another heart failure medication that can cause a yellow-green tint to vision
• Hydroxychloroquine: Used for autoimmune conditions, can cause retinal toxicity in some cases
• Sildenafil: In high doses, may cause blue-tinted vision or increased light sensitivity

If you notice any changes in your vision while taking medication, it’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider. They may need to adjust your dosage, switch to an alternative medication, or monitor you more closely for potential side effects.

Managing Medication-Related Vision Changes

To minimize the risk of medication-related vision problems:

• Always take medications as prescribed
• Inform all your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking
• Attend regular check-ups and eye exams as recommended
• Report any new or worsening vision symptoms promptly

Radiation Exposure and Its Effects on Vision

While rare in everyday life, exposure to high levels of radiation, such as during cancer treatment, can affect vision and potentially cause the appearance of yellow spots or other visual disturbances.

How does radiation therapy impact vision, and are the effects permanent? Radiation therapy, particularly when targeted near the eyes or brain, can cause various visual symptoms, including:

• Seeing lights or colors (phosphenes)
• Increased floaters or spots in vision
• Blurred or double vision
• Dry eyes or excessive tearing
• Cataracts

In most cases, visual disturbances related to radiation therapy are temporary and resolve after treatment ends. However, some patients may develop long-term complications such as radiation retinopathy, which can cause permanent vision changes.

Managing Vision Changes During and After Radiation Therapy

If you’re undergoing radiation therapy, especially for head, neck, or brain cancers, it’s important to:

• Discuss potential vision-related side effects with your oncologist before starting treatment
• Have a comprehensive eye exam before, during, and after radiation therapy
• Report any new or worsening vision symptoms to your healthcare team promptly
• Follow any recommended eye care routines or treatments to minimize side effects

Your healthcare team can work with you to manage any vision changes and help preserve your eye health during and after radiation treatment.

When to Consult an Eye Care Professional

While some causes of yellow spots in vision may be benign, others can indicate serious underlying conditions that require prompt medical attention. Knowing when to seek help is crucial for maintaining your eye health and overall well-being.

Under what circumstances should you consult an eye care professional about yellow spots in your vision? Consider seeking immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden onset of yellow spots or other visual disturbances
• Yellow spots accompanied by vision loss, even if temporary
• Persistent or worsening yellow spots
• Yellow spots following a head injury
• Visual changes accompanied by other symptoms like headache, nausea, or weakness

Additionally, schedule a comprehensive eye exam if you:

• Have diabetes or other chronic health conditions affecting vision
• Are over 40 and haven’t had a recent eye exam
• Have a family history of eye diseases
• Notice any gradual changes in your vision

Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision and detecting potential problems early. Most eye care professionals recommend annual exams, but the frequency may vary based on your age, health status, and risk factors.

Preparing for Your Eye Appointment

To make the most of your eye appointment, consider the following tips:

• Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, including when they occur and any associated factors
• Bring a list of all medications and supplements you’re taking
• Prepare questions about your symptoms and any concerns you have
• Bring your current glasses or contact lenses
• Have a family member or friend accompany you, especially if your vision is significantly affected

By providing your eye care professional with comprehensive information, you can help ensure a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment plan.

Why Do I See Yellow Spots in My Vision?

We rely on our vision to see the beauty of nature, read books, drive a car, and connect with others. Therefore, you should not take any changes in your vision lightly. A problem such as having yellow spots in your vision could result from many conditions, such as head injuries, migraines, retinal detachment, medication side effects, or melanoma.

Maintaining regular eye exams and letting your optometrist know if you notice any unusual symptoms, such as seeing spots, is essential. It might not be anything serious, but it’s always better to know for sure.

Yellow Spots After Head Injuries

Head injuries can cause a range of vision problems, including yellow spots. When the head is injured, such as through sports or accidents, it can cause damage to the brain or the optic nerve, affecting your vision.

Head injuries can also cause bleeding in the eye, which can lead to yellow spots. If you have recently experienced a head injury and are experiencing vision changes, seek medical attention immediately.

Yellow Spots Due to Retinal Conditions

The retina is the part of the eye that contains the cells responsible for detecting light and sending visual signals to the brain. Several conditions can affect the retina and cause yellow spots.

Retinal Detachment

When your retina separates from the back of your eye, it can cause your cells to fire randomly. This could result in you seeing flashing lights or colored spots. A detached retina is a serious condition, and you should see a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you have it.

Other symptoms of a detached retina include:

• Lots of floaters
• Shadows at the edge of your vision
• A “gray curtain” over your vision

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy affects people with diabetes and is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. This damage can result in fluid leaking into the center of the retina, an area called the macula, leading to blurred vision, spots, floaters, and a dark hole in the middle of your vision.

Yellow spots could also indicate a retina infection or damage from staring at the sun.

Yellow Spots from Migraines with Auras

Migraines are a neurological condition that can cause severe headaches, nausea, and sometimes visual disturbances. These disturbances are called auras and can occur before and during a migraine.

Depending on the person, visual disturbances can include yellow spots, as well as zigzag lines, flashing lights, and blind spots. Various factors, such as stress, certain foods, and hormonal changes, can trigger migraines.

Yellow Spots Related to Eye Melanoma

Just like you can develop melanoma in your skin, your eye pigment is also vulnerable. Eye melanoma can cause yellow flashing spots and other vision changes, such as blurred vision and loss of peripheral sight.

Sun overexposure is typically the cause of eye melanoma. Therefore, make sure you wear sunglasses when outside to lower your risk of developing this serious condition.

Yellow Spots After Transient Ischemic Attack

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a mini-stroke that occurs when blood flow is blocked temporarily. TIAs can cause a range of symptoms, such as numbness, weakness, and difficulty speaking.

However, if the blood vessel being blocked leads to your eye, it can cause a loss of vision or yellow spots to appear. TIAs are a warning sign you may be at risk for a more severe stroke. Seek medical attention immediately so your doctor can work with you to promote proper blood flow.

Yellow Spots as a Side Effect of Medications

Certain medications for treating heart conditions list seeing spots or random patterns of light as side effects. For example, ivabradine, a medicine used to treat some adults with heart failure, is known to affect your vision, potentially causing you to see bright spots or bright colored lights.

Another heart failure medication, digoxin, doesn’t necessarily cause yellow spots but can result in vision with a yellow-green tint. If you’re taking any medication and notice a vision change, inform your doctor, as they may be able to adjust your medication or provide you with an alternative treatment.

Yellow Spots Due to Radiation

Radiation exposure can cause various health problems, including changes in your vision. While it’s rare for most people to be exposed to a level of radiation that can cause symptoms such as this, radiation therapy is a standard cancer treatment that requires exposure to high-energy radiation.

An estimated 70% of people who had radiotherapy for melanoma experienced seeing lights or colors, a phenomenon known as phosphenes. These typically go away once the radiation stops, but it’s possible for exposure to lead to retinal conditions such as radiation retinopathy.

When Should I See an Optometrist?

If you notice any changes in your vision, including yellow spots, you should schedule an appointment with an optometrist as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment of eye diseases may help prevent vision loss and improve overall eye health.

Additionally, if you have a family history of eye disease or other risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you should monitor your eye health and have regular eye exams.

Los Angeles EyeCare Optometry Group’s knowledgeable team can evaluate your vision and, if we find something, are dedicated to finding solutions and management options for eye conditions. Don’t ignore the little things when it comes to your vision. If you’re seeing spots, book an appointment today.

What It Could Mean and What to Do

Your eye is a complex structure. Light enters through your pupil and gets focused through the lens before hitting your retina at the back of your eyeball. Special cells in your retina convert light to electrical signals that are sent to your brain via the optic nerve.

Damage to any part of this delicate system can lead to vision problems. Vision problems also tend to become more common with age due to structural changes and an increased risk of developing conditions like diabetes that can damage your eyes.

Seeing yellow spots can have many causes that range from normal to medical emergencies. In this article, we look at some of the potential causes.

There are many reasons why you may be experiencing yellow spots in your vision. Here are some of the potential causes, but for a proper diagnosis, you should visit an eye doctor.

Nonmedical reasons you see yellow spots

Looking at bright lights

Looking at a bright light and then looking away can cause temporary blindness or the temporary appearance of spots or patterns in your vision. Bright light causes special cells in your retina to become saturated with pigment. Your vision should return to normal after a few seconds or minutes when these cells become unsaturated again.

You may notice this phenomenon when you move from a brightly lit area to a dark one or if you’re exposed to a sudden bright light like a camera flash.

Looking directly into the sun or at extremely bright lights like explosions can cause permanent sight loss.

Rubbing your eyes or putting pressure on your eyes

You may experience spots and random bursts of color in your vision after rubbing your eyes or putting direct pressure on your eyeball. These spots and bursts of color are called phosphenes. Phosphenes should go away after several moments and can appear as spots, bars, or random patterns of colorless or colored light.

They’re thought to appear because direct pressure on your eyeball tricks your retinal cells into thinking they’re being exposed to light.

Researchers can also create phosphenes by stimulating the part of your brain that controls vision with an electrical current called transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Drugs, head injuries, and radiation

Exposure to radiation

People exposed to radiation of their head, neck, or eyes commonly report changes in their vision, including seeing lights that aren’t there and colored spots. Radiation therapy used in cancer treatment is one common way people are exposed to radiation.

About 70 percent of people receiving radiotherapy for melanoma of the eye experience seeing light or colors that aren’t there during the procedure. The appearance of these lights or colors can vary but usually goes away once radiation stops.

Other vision side effects that may occur after radiation therapy include:

• blurry vision
• cataracts
• dry eyes
• loss of eyelashes
• glaucoma
• problems with tear ducts
• retinal detachment

Side effects of some medications and chemicals

Some medications can potentially cause spots or random patterns of light to appear in your vision. Seeing spots or random light patterns are one of the most common side effects of the medication ivabradine, used to treat some adults with heart failure.

Seeing spots and light patterns can also be stimulated by alcohol, hallucinogenic drugs, and other drugs.

Another heart failure medication called digoxin is known to cause vision with a yellow-green tint as a potential side effect.

Head injuries

A sudden force to your head can potentially cause random electrical impulses in the part of your brain that controls vision, called your occipital lobe. Your brain may interpret these impulses as spots or patterns.

Head injuries can also lead to structural damage of your cranial nerves, optic nerve tract, or other parts of your vision system.

Other common vision disturbances experienced after a head injury include:

• double vision
• blurry vision
• decreased peripheral vision
• blindness or partial blindness
• glare and light sensitivity

Vigorously sneezing, coughing, or laughing can also cause you to see phosphenes, possibly due to stimulating the cells in your retina with pressure.

Medical conditions

Migraine with aura

Migraine is a condition that causes reoccurring moderate to severe headaches. An aura is when migraine is paired with sensory changes. About 90 percent of people who experience migraine with aura also see spots, stars, or patterns of light. Other visual symptoms can include:

• blind spots
• lines in your field of vision
• seeing flashes of light
• vision loss
• changes to your vision

Retinal detachment and other retinal conditions

Retinal detachment is when your retina becomes partially or fully detached from the back of your eye. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. When your retina tears or detaches, your retinal cells may fire and lead you to see random spots or patterns of light and color that can potentially include yellow spots.

Other symptoms of a retinal detachment include:

• floaters (debris in your vision) that appear suddenly
• flashes of light
• blurry vision
• vision loss often described as a shadow moving across your vision

Other conditions that cause damage or inflammation of your retina can also potentially cause you to see yellow spots. Some conditions include:

• a rare form of cancer called retinoblastoma
• diabetic retinopathy
• retina infections
• solar retinopathy (damage from looking at the sun)

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A TIA is a mini-stroke caused by the blockage of a blood vessel. If it occurs in a blood vessel leading to your eye, it can cause loss of vision often described as a curtain falling over one eye.

it can cause you to see yellow spots or other patterns of light that aren’t there.

Symptoms can include:

• temporary blindness
• seeing spots or patterns of light that aren’t there
• double vision
• visual hallucinations
• afterimage

Eye melanoma

Eye melanoma is a type of cancer of the eyeball. Typical symptoms include:

• seeing floaters
• dark spots on your iris
• blurry vision
• a change in the shape of your pupil

A 2020 case study describes a person who developed seeing random spots and patterns in his left eye due to melanoma in and around his iris. In theory, it’s possible that some people may see yellow spots.

Seeing yellow spots on a white background may be due to the afterimage effect. The afterimage effect is when you see an image that’s no longer there.

You may experience this phenomenon when you stare at a colorful object or scene for a long time and quickly look away. In theory, if you stare at something yellow and glance away, you may see yellow spots or patterns. These spots should disappear within moments.

If you want to experience this phenomenon, you can stare at a brightly colored picture for about a minute and quickly shift your vision to a white piece of paper or white wall.

Seeing spots or patterns is also associated with:

• stress
• alcohol consumption
• emotional factors

These spots may be more noticeable when you look at something white.

Yellow spots that disappear soon after staring at a bright light or rubbing your eyes are normal and don’t require treatment. Treatment for other conditions involves targeting the underlying cause. Here are potential treatment options for some of the reasons you may be seeing yellow spots.

* Speak with your before stopping or changing the dosage of any medication you have been prescribed.

It’s a good idea to visit an eye doctor any time you notice changes in your vision. It’s especially critical to see a doctor if you started seeing spots after a sudden head injury or if you have other symptoms of retinal detachment or retinal disease.

There are many reasons why you may be seeing yellow spots. They may part of your eyes’ natural adaption to changing light conditions or they could be a sign of a potentially serious medical condition.

Seeing yellow spots without other symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, but it’s a good idea to visit an eye doctor if you notice a sudden change in your vision.

What is yellow spot disease?

Macular disease, or age-related macular degeneration, is a retinal disease and one of the most common causes of blindness in people over 55 years of age. Its other name is “age-related macular degeneration”. According to a study conducted in the United States in 2010, 9.1 million cases of this disease were registered in the world. This number is expected to rise to 17.8 million by 2050. An ophthalmologist at Anadolu Medical Center op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yilmaz.

Dr. Yılmaz, why does this disease occur?

Risk factors for retinal and macular degeneration include:

• advanced age;
• smoking;
• high blood pressure;
• obesity;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• excessive exposure to sunlight on the visual apparatus;
• excessive consumption of fats;
• side effects of certain pharmacological agents;
• light shade of iris;
• Caucasian and female.

In addition, scientists assign an important role in the development of pathology to genetic predisposition. The easiest way to find out its presence is to find out if there are among the relatives of those who already suffer from age-related macular degeneration.

A number of studies have shown that this disease may also be associated with certain genetic mutations that are inherited. Thus, more than 74% of patients with age-related macular degeneration have several specific variants of characteristic genetic changes.

What are the types of age-related macular degeneration?

There are two types: dry and wet. Moreover, more than 90% of cases of this disease develop just according to the first option. This type of macular degeneration progresses rather slowly. As a person ages, the tissues of the eye that make up the macula gradually become thinner, and in addition, pigments and cellular decay products are deposited in them (therefore, the disease is sometimes called retinitis pigmentosa).

Without adequate treatment, dry macular degeneration in about 10% of cases can turn into a more serious and dangerous form, which is the wet type of macular degeneration. In this case, new blood vessels begin to actively grow under the retina of the eye. Their wall has increased permeability, through them fluid from the blood seeps under the retina and causes its detachment. In such places deposits of connective tissue form, and light-sensitive cells die, which creates blind spots in the central field of vision.

Wet macular degeneration progresses much faster than dry macular degeneration, and almost always occurs in those who have already had a dry type of disease before. Therefore, many researchers consider both options not as different types of disease, but as an early and late stage of senile macular degeneration.

How does age-related macular degeneration manifest itself?

The macula lutea of ​​our retina has the highest density of photosensitive cells, and therefore is responsible for central vision. The health of this area largely determines our ability to read, recognize images, drive a car, watch TV, use a computer, and perform other tasks that require a clear vision of fine details. With age-related macular degeneration, a person’s central vision begins to gradually deteriorate. When looking at near or distant objects, the patient ceases to distinguish their details. However, peripheral (lateral) vision may remain complete. And in such situations, a person, looking, for example, at a watch on his wrist, has difficulty in determining where the hour and minute hands are, but he sees the numbers around the dial quite clearly.

Most cases of macular degeneration are characterized by a rather slow development of symptoms, and visual impairment begins mainly with violations of the visible boundaries of objects and loss of clarity, and not with the appearance of blind spots. However, in rare cases, vision loss can be sudden. Signs of this fast-acting macular degeneration include the appearance of dark areas in the central visual field, as well as sharp distortions in it.

How is age-related macular degeneration diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made using the Amsler grid test, named after its inventor, Swiss ophthalmologist Mark Amsler. The patient is shown a card that is drawn with thin lines into many regular squares. If a person sees that the lines on this card are curved, this may indicate that macular degeneration has begun. Such a test has a fairly high sensitivity and can be used to diagnose macular degeneration in the early stages of development. In addition to the “Amsler grid”, visual examinations of the fundus, as well as angiographic studies of the vessels of the eye, help to identify this pathology.

How is age-related macular degeneration treated?

Unfortunately, at the moment there are no highly effective methods of treating macular degeneration in medicine. However, we use a number of effects on the visual apparatus, they can significantly slow down the progression of the disease.

Much depends on which type of macular degeneration the patient suffers from. With dry macular degeneration, he is prescribed a special diet and a vitamin support complex to slow down the development of the pathology. In the wet type of the disease, first of all, it is necessary to stop the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the retina. This can be achieved in several ways, for example, intraocular radiation (photodynamic) therapy or intraocular injection of pharmacological preparations.