Last month I started getting these weird flashes/cloud things (hard to articulate the flashes really) so I went and got my eyes thoroughly checked. I was scared it was my retina or optic nerve but both were in great shape, same with my cornea. Long story short -- a combination of dry eyes, long use of contact lenses, and staring at a computer screen for many hours a day (work/home) caused consistent strain. It's not pleasant but I'm now taking steps to ease daily strain. FYI! PS It's such a nerd syndrome to have.
I got the same thing starting last month, when I got my laptop! I don't wear contacts. I think the laptop is causing it. I see flashes like snow falling in my peripheral vision when I'm outside in the dark. Also there's probably something floating inside my eyeball, because in the daytime I see dark things floating near me and I swipe at them like bugs.
Those are normal. Everyone has floaters. The flashing in your peripherals sounds like CVS but it's always something you'd want to get checked. I'd get these cloudy/flash-like things that I'd see in the dark and even with my eyes closed. My strain was pretty bad (high prescription nearsightedness) but luckily for me everything checked out to be in good health other than the obvious strain and dryness caused from my contact lenses. Oh, and lighting plays a role in strain/cvs, too. Dim light in particular. Checking the optic nerve, retina sucks. From the dilated eyes to the visual field test. Hated it.
