Why do yellow spots appear in vision. What conditions can cause yellow spots in eyesight. How to identify if yellow spots in vision are a sign of a serious eye problem. When should you consult an optometrist about yellow spots in your field of view.

Understanding Yellow Spots in Vision: An Overview

Vision plays a crucial role in our daily lives, allowing us to experience the world around us. When unusual symptoms like yellow spots appear in our field of view, it’s natural to feel concerned. These visual disturbances can stem from various causes, ranging from minor issues to more serious medical conditions. Understanding the potential reasons behind yellow spots in vision is essential for maintaining eye health and seeking appropriate medical attention when necessary.

Head Injuries and Their Impact on Vision

Head injuries can have significant consequences for our visual system. Trauma to the brain or optic nerve may result in various vision problems, including the appearance of yellow spots. These spots can occur due to damage to the visual processing areas of the brain or disruption of the optic nerve’s function.

How do head injuries cause yellow spots in vision?

When the head experiences a forceful impact, it can lead to:

• Damage to brain tissue responsible for visual processing
• Disruption of the optic nerve’s ability to transmit visual information
• Bleeding within the eye, which may manifest as yellow spots

If you’ve recently experienced a head injury and notice changes in your vision, including yellow spots, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Prompt evaluation can help identify and address any underlying issues before they progress.

Retinal Conditions and Yellow Spots

The retina, a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, plays a vital role in converting light into neural signals that the brain interprets as images. Several retinal conditions can lead to the perception of yellow spots in one’s vision.

Retinal Detachment: A Serious Eye Emergency

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back of the eye. This condition can cause cells to fire randomly, resulting in various visual disturbances, including yellow spots, flashing lights, or colored spots.

What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?

• Sudden increase in floaters
• Flashes of light in peripheral vision
• A dark shadow or “curtain” effect across the field of view
• Blurred or distorted central vision

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you experience these symptoms, particularly if they appear suddenly, contact an eye specialist or visit an emergency room without delay.

Diabetic Retinopathy: A Complication of Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects individuals with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to various visual disturbances, including yellow spots.

How does diabetic retinopathy affect vision?

1. Damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the retina
2. The macula, responsible for central vision, may swell
3. New, abnormal blood vessels may grow on the retina’s surface
4. These changes can result in blurred vision, spots, floaters, and potential vision loss

Regular eye exams are crucial for individuals 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 Neurological Cause of Yellow Spots

Migraines are more than just severe headaches; they’re complex neurological events that can affect various bodily systems, including vision. Some individuals experience what’s known as migraine with aura, which involves visual disturbances that precede or accompany the headache phase.

What visual symptoms can occur during a migraine with aura?

Migraine auras can manifest as:

• Yellow spots or flashes of light
• Zigzag lines or geometric patterns
• Blind spots or areas of blurred vision
• Shimmering or sparkling visual effects

These visual disturbances typically last between 20 to 60 minutes and may be followed by the headache phase of the migraine. While alarming, migraine auras are generally not harmful to the eyes themselves. However, if you experience new or unusual visual symptoms, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes.

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, it’s a serious condition that can lead to vision changes, including the perception of yellow spots.

How does eye melanoma affect vision?

Eye melanoma can cause various visual symptoms, such as:

• Yellow flashing spots or other visual disturbances
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Loss of peripheral vision
• A dark spot on the iris that grows over time
• A sensation of flashes or specks of dust in vision

While the exact cause of eye melanoma is unknown, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is thought to be a risk factor. Protecting your eyes from excessive sun exposure by wearing sunglasses and avoiding tanning beds may help reduce your risk of developing this condition.

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 are generally short-lived, they can cause a range of symptoms, including visual disturbances like yellow spots.

How can a TIA affect vision?

During a TIA, if the affected blood vessel supplies the eye or visual processing areas of the brain, it can lead to:

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

It’s crucial to recognize that TIAs are warning signs of a potential future stroke. If you experience sudden vision changes along with other symptoms like weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking, seek immediate medical attention. Prompt evaluation and treatment can help prevent a more severe stroke from occurring.

Medication Side Effects and Vision Changes

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

Which medications are known to cause visual side effects?

Some medications that may affect vision include:

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

If you’re taking any medication and notice changes in your vision, it’s essential to inform your healthcare provider. They can assess whether the visual symptoms are related to your medication and potentially adjust your treatment plan or explore alternative options.

Radiation Exposure and Its Effects on Vision

While uncommon in everyday life, exposure to high levels of radiation, such as during certain medical treatments, can potentially affect vision. Radiation therapy, a common treatment for various types of cancer, involves exposure to high-energy radiation that can sometimes lead to visual side effects.

How does radiation exposure impact vision?

Radiation exposure can affect vision in several ways:

1. Phosphenes: The perception of flashes of light or colors, including yellow spots
2. Radiation retinopathy: Damage to the retina’s blood vessels, potentially causing vision changes
3. Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens, which can develop after radiation exposure
4. Dry eye syndrome: Reduced tear production, leading to eye discomfort and potential vision changes

It’s important to note that most people undergoing radiation therapy experience temporary visual effects that typically resolve after treatment ends. However, in some cases, long-term vision changes may occur. If you’re undergoing radiation therapy and experience vision changes, discuss these symptoms with your oncologist and consider consulting an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye evaluation.

When to Consult an Optometrist About Yellow Spots in Vision

Experiencing yellow spots or any unusual changes in your vision can be concerning. While not all visual disturbances indicate a serious problem, it’s essential to know when to seek professional help.

What are the signs that you should consult an optometrist about yellow spots in your vision?

Consider scheduling an appointment with an optometrist if you experience:

• Sudden onset of yellow spots or other visual disturbances
• Persistent yellow spots that don’t resolve on their own
• Yellow spots accompanied by other vision changes, such as blurriness or loss of peripheral vision
• Visual symptoms that interfere with daily activities or cause significant discomfort
• Any vision changes following a head injury or in conjunction with other concerning symptoms

Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining overall eye health and detecting potential problems early. If you’re experiencing yellow spots or any other unusual visual symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to an eye care professional. They can perform a comprehensive examination, diagnose any underlying issues, and recommend appropriate treatment options to protect your vision and overall eye health.

Remember, your vision is precious, and taking proactive steps to address any concerns can help ensure that you maintain clear, healthy eyesight for years to come. By staying vigilant and seeking timely care when needed, you can safeguard your visual health and continue to enjoy the world around you with clarity and confidence.

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.

causes, diagnosis and treatment in the SCCH

Causes of occurrence

The front part of our eye, the sclera, is white when healthy. Its shade can vary from whitish-blue to whitish-pink, but it should be uniform. A noticeable change in the shade of the sclera and the appearance of yellow spots on it indicates the development of pathology. Moreover, it can be both a violation of the eye itself, and a systemic disease of the body.

If yellow spots appear on the white of the eye, we advise you to contact an ophthalmological clinic.

Often, in addition to yellow spots on the eyes The patient also notices other symptoms :

• Itching and pain in the eye area
• Visual impairment
• Hypersensitivity to bright light
• Appearance of discharge from the eyes.

Yellow spots can signal various eye diseases. As a rule, these diseases are not too dangerous and cannot lead to complete loss of vision, but you should definitely not ignore their symptoms. Among the most common causes are the following :

• Conjunctival cyst – a formation with fluid inside, which may have a yellowish tint and appear as a small spot on the white of the eye
• Pterygium is an eye disease in which the conjunctival tissue begins to grow from the nasal corner of the eye to the center of the cornea. The yellow spot on the protein has a triangular shape and sometimes changes color to scarlet or pink
• A pinguecula is a yellow spot that is a sign of aging of the conjunctiva or a lack of vitamin A. Most often, the pinguecula is localized on the inside of the eye near the bridge of the nose, so Patients do not immediately notice it
• Nevus – a kind of “mole” on the protein, which signals serious pathologies of the eye
• Horner-Trantas spots are spots that result from an allergic reaction. They look like grains and are localized mainly around the cornea. The reason for the appearance of this type of spots is keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) or allergic conjunctivitis (reaction from the allergic conjunctiva).

Diseases associated with the appearance of yellow spots on the white of the eye

If the cause of the spots is a general disease of the body, then nausea, chills, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, etc. can be added to the listed symptoms.

Yellow spots may be evidence of the following disorders organism a:

• Jaundice – occurs when there is a violation of the metabolism of bilirubin (bile pigment, one of the most important components of bile)
• Hepatitis (viral disease caused by a pathogen with pronounced hepatotropic properties
• Cirrhosis of the liver (a pathological condition of the liver, which is a consequence of impaired blood circulation in the system of hepatic vessels and dysfunction of the bile ducts)
• Anemia or anemia (a pathological condition characterized by a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin and, in the vast majority of cases, the number of erythrocytes per unit volume of blood
• Liver cancer
• Gallbladder stones, formed in the body under the influence of a number of adverse factors, can acquire a different shape, structure, size.

Diagnosis and treatment of yellow spots on the white of the eye

It is possible to eliminate yellow spots on the white of the eye only after identifying the root cause of their appearance and prescribing the correct treatment in time. In each case, it will be individual.

For example, pinguecula and pterygium in the initial stages are treated with drops and gels that moisturize the conjunctiva, or with anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgical intervention is resorted to only in cases where long-term therapy has not helped. Drug therapy is also used to treat Horner-Trantas spots.

But advanced cases of conjunctival cysts are treated only surgically. Modern technologies make it possible to do this with a laser painlessly for the Patient.

The doctors of the Eye Clinic of Dr. Belikova will conduct a comprehensive examination of the organs of vision and, if necessary, select the most effective treatment or give recommendations for visiting a specialized specialist.

Yellow spots before the eyes, causes, symptoms, treatment.

Article updated – 12/23/2016

The appearance of yellow spots before the eyes means that you see objects that may look like specks or circles. Sometimes they swim. The color of the spots can be from flashing bright flashes to barely noticeable spots. Of great importance is the nature of the appearance of spots before the eyes: they appear from time to time or you see them all the time.

Most often, spots before the eyes appear as a single symptom. However, they can also be combined with other symptoms:

• flashes of light
• headache
• dizziness
• pain in the eye

Attention should be paid to symptoms that may indicate the presence of serious diseases of the eye:

• the appearance of blind spots (or loss of visual fields) along with spots yellow in front of the eye.
• blurred vision or double vision
• sudden increase in spots, flashing pattern of spots.

Causes of yellow spots before the eyes

• Migraine.
  The appearance of yellow spots before the eyes, combined with a severe headache and nausea, indicates the presence of a migraine. A characteristic feature in this case is the complete absence of this symptom in the period between attacks.

• Vitreous destruction.
  If the spots float before your eyes, then this is not an invention of your imagination. There are diseases of the vitreous body that can give a similar symptom. In this case, spots can have different shapes and sizes, change intensity depending on the illumination.

• Posterior vitreous detachment.
  In the case when bright flashes appear before the eyes along with floating spots, it indicates the presence of a posterior vitreous detachment. A very serious symptom. Requires attention, and visits to a specialist doctor.

• Macular edema.
  A condition in which fluid accumulates in the central part of the retina (macula) is called macular edema. The retinal tissue swells and thickens. Edema distorts central vision and a yellow spot appears in front of the eye. In addition, the ability to see at close range is lost. The causes are usually common diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, taking certain medications.

• Macular hemorrhages.
  Violation of the integrity of the vessels inside the eye leads to the appearance of hemorrhages on the retina. When a hemorrhage develops in the macula, a person sees a spot in front of the eye that is yellow, brown or black. Cause of hemorrhage: head or eye injury, hypertension, diabetes mellitus. Requires urgent treatment.

• Macular degeneration.
  Another name is age-related macular degeneration. Typically, patients over 60 years of age are affected. There is a loss of central vision due to damage to the retina in the central section. The onset of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of small spots in front of the eye and a slight decrease in vision. The disease is steadily progressing.

• Retinal burn.
  Exposure to intense sunlight causes damage (burn) to the retina at any age.