Flashing screen on and off, then turning off completely

Hi, I have a relatively new macbook pro retina display, only about 8 months old! Today when I opened the screen it began flickering on and off! Now it's flashing on and off and then turning off completely! When I shut the laptop and then open it again it does the same thing again? I can't tell if when it goes off completely if

if it's just the screen going off or the computer turning off? What could be the problem? I really need this fixed as I cannot use the computer at all and I need it for work.

Thank you!