Hi @esikora -- I had my one and only ocular migraine, no headache, about a year ago. I was in the kitchen and suddenly couldn't make anything out. Everything in my vision was very pixelated (maybe what they call kaleidoscope vision) and it was very confusing. It was colorful and like when they blur out a face with pixelation on the TV. I thought, why can't I see? Can I see? I looked around and couldn't make anything out. Nope, I can't see. I blinked several times hoping to clear it up and nope. Then I thought, OMG, am I'm having a stroke? I had been told I was at higher risk due to afib, cancer and cancer meds. I quickly did all the stroke tests on myself and passed. Then it all suddenly went away. Very scary.
Then 4 hours later, I was standing in front of my recliner and suddenly just fell straight backwards like a tree in the forest -- no bending. No dizziness, no loss of balance, no warning. Again, bizarre. Thankfully, I just fell hard back into the recliner (about broke it) or I would have really been injured. I'm sure it was somehow related. Really bizarre. I was afraid maybe it was a TIA. I had a brain MRI and no explanation, but TIAs can only be detected while they are happening.
I also had an eye exam a month later. No glaucoma. I do have early cataracts, but that wouldn't explain this.
My neurologist told me it was an ocular migraine and not to worry about it. They are random and it may never happen again. I've never had any type of migraine before or since. I rarely even get a regular headache. I'll never know why it happened. Best of luck to you.
My eye doctor also advised me that my ocular migraines are nothing to be concerned about. That is great but now I am having 8-10 a day and they are very distracting. Luckily, like you, I don't get the headaches with them either. Sometimes the blurry vision does cause me to be nauseous or I sometimes feel a little tired after having them. I would love to know the source or how to stop them. Do you have updates or helpful hints since you last posted, that you can share?
When I was having frequent ocular migraines (2-3 per day) my outstanding ophthalmologist recommended that I see a neurologist. However, I was able to adjust my sleep schedule and the frequent ocular migraines stopped. Given the frequency of yours, it seems you should have further evaluation, but I'm not a doctor.
My eye doctor also advised me that my ocular migraines are nothing to be concerned about. That is great but now I am having 8-10 a day and they are very distracting. Luckily, like you, I don't get the headaches with them either. Sometimes the blurry vision does cause me to be nauseous or I sometimes feel a little tired after having them. I would love to know the source or how to stop them. Do you have updates or helpful hints since you last posted, that you can share?
Hi @turley78
Having visual disturbances 8-10 times a day would definitely be distracting. Wow, sorry to hear that. Wish I had a solution for you.
MESSAGE TO ALL: Especially to those having temporary blind spots in just one eye. Be sure to get checked out and don't just assume visual disturbances are ocular migraines. Two years ago, I wasn't sure if I had an ocular migraine or TIA. Now after two more incidents, providers have determined I'm having TIAs (aka mini-strokes) connected to afib.
Good 5 min video on Amaurosis Fugax by neuro-opthalmologist
I've now had 3 TIAs in less than 2 years, all three times they happened at the end of about 30 hours in afib (atrial fibrillation - irregular and rapid heartbeat that can cause blood clots). Almost two years ago, vision in both eyes became totally pixelated and then a weird fall backwards 4 hours later. Last week, I suddenly lost a third of my vision in just one eye for 2 minutes, blurred out/cloudy, not pixelated this time, but couldn't see through it. 4 months ago, my left arm suddenly became heavy, numb, had strong pins and needles, hand became bright red and felt like it was swelling (all at once) then suddenly every symptom was gone in less than 30 seconds. I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke while just talking to a neighbor. Every time, the issue(s) both started and stopped in an instant and were of brief duration.
When my neurologist concluded it was an ocular migraine 2 years ago, I didn't make the afib connection and didn't bring that up. I also have a rare neuropathy with lots of neuro issues so that just seemed like one more. At the time, I went to see her because I was more worried that it might be my advanced breast cancer spreading to my brain, but luckily a brain MRI confirmed it wasn't.
Blessings to all hoping you all find solutions to your visual disturbances.
Suggest you record everything your eating and your routine, too. I discovered mine was eggs, sauerkraut, and processed foods. Odors will also cause the issue.
I’ve had them for years and sometimes go weeks without one but yesterday had 3, one in bed at night others in the house. Used to think it was the sun since I spend a lot of time outside but yesterday 2 were in the dark! Never had 3 in one day!
I’ve had them for years and sometimes go weeks without one but yesterday had 3, one in bed at night others in the house. Used to think it was the sun since I spend a lot of time outside but yesterday 2 were in the dark! Never had 3 in one day!
I've had them for over 35 years.
Low dose aspirin keeps them away. Through trial and error, I've determined that taking the low dose aspirin (81mg) 3 times per week is enough to prevent them from happening. Mine were usually associated with bright lights or intensely examining details in a bright lighting or sometimes computer use. A opthomologist recommended the aspirin but 5mg per day caused too much bruising as did the low dose, if I took it every day.
I've had them for over 35 years.
Low dose aspirin keeps them away. Through trial and error, I've determined that taking the low dose aspirin (81mg) 3 times per week is enough to prevent them from happening. Mine were usually associated with bright lights or intensely examining details in a bright lighting or sometimes computer use. A opthomologist recommended the aspirin but 5mg per day caused too much bruising as did the low dose, if I took it every day.
I have them too and it seems to be triggered by bright lights and LED lights. My vision is complete blurred. They come suddenly . I take baby aspirin and in about 15 to 20 minutes I’m okay. I had an MRI on my brain and everything was okay.
I used to get them. Figure out what you’re eating that is causing them. (This way you avoid the meds that will cause damage to your body and mask the migraine.) My case is eggs, sauerkraut, coffee with caffeine, alcoholic beverages and foods with nitrates in them (Bacon, lunch meats, sausage…processed foods). The other thing you need to understand is the fact that migraines can lead to STROKES . I strongly encourage you to get off of all REFINED SUGAR for this reason. For some reason folks don’t like hearing that so they ignore it. You’ll remember my words after the stroke! I’ve adjusted my diet and no longer get Migraines. By the way, I've had an ischemic stroke. It has damaged my right arm. I learned about the association of migraines and strokes too late and went into the third possible stage of CRPS. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone…so 1.) adjust your diet, 2.) get off of refined sugar and 3.) exercise. You CAN do it!
I used to get them. Figure out what you’re eating that is causing them. (This way you avoid the meds that will cause damage to your body and mask the migraine.) My case is eggs, sauerkraut, coffee with caffeine, alcoholic beverages and foods with nitrates in them (Bacon, lunch meats, sausage…processed foods). The other thing you need to understand is the fact that migraines can lead to STROKES . I strongly encourage you to get off of all REFINED SUGAR for this reason. For some reason folks don’t like hearing that so they ignore it. You’ll remember my words after the stroke! I’ve adjusted my diet and no longer get Migraines. By the way, I've had an ischemic stroke. It has damaged my right arm. I learned about the association of migraines and strokes too late and went into the third possible stage of CRPS. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone…so 1.) adjust your diet, 2.) get off of refined sugar and 3.) exercise. You CAN do it!
Haven’t had sugar since the 90’s, eat very healthy and exercise regularly! I’m also allergic to eggs and had food allergy testing so avoid those foods! I thought it was sun since I spend a lot of time outdoors but now even get them in the middle of the night!
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My eye doctor also advised me that my ocular migraines are nothing to be concerned about. That is great but now I am having 8-10 a day and they are very distracting. Luckily, like you, I don't get the headaches with them either. Sometimes the blurry vision does cause me to be nauseous or I sometimes feel a little tired after having them. I would love to know the source or how to stop them. Do you have updates or helpful hints since you last posted, that you can share?
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3 ReactionsWhen I was having frequent ocular migraines (2-3 per day) my outstanding ophthalmologist recommended that I see a neurologist. However, I was able to adjust my sleep schedule and the frequent ocular migraines stopped. Given the frequency of yours, it seems you should have further evaluation, but I'm not a doctor.
Hi @turley78
Having visual disturbances 8-10 times a day would definitely be distracting. Wow, sorry to hear that. Wish I had a solution for you.
MESSAGE TO ALL: Especially to those having temporary blind spots in just one eye. Be sure to get checked out and don't just assume visual disturbances are ocular migraines. Two years ago, I wasn't sure if I had an ocular migraine or TIA. Now after two more incidents, providers have determined I'm having TIAs (aka mini-strokes) connected to afib.
Good 5 min video on Amaurosis Fugax by neuro-opthalmologist
I've now had 3 TIAs in less than 2 years, all three times they happened at the end of about 30 hours in afib (atrial fibrillation - irregular and rapid heartbeat that can cause blood clots). Almost two years ago, vision in both eyes became totally pixelated and then a weird fall backwards 4 hours later. Last week, I suddenly lost a third of my vision in just one eye for 2 minutes, blurred out/cloudy, not pixelated this time, but couldn't see through it. 4 months ago, my left arm suddenly became heavy, numb, had strong pins and needles, hand became bright red and felt like it was swelling (all at once) then suddenly every symptom was gone in less than 30 seconds. I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke while just talking to a neighbor. Every time, the issue(s) both started and stopped in an instant and were of brief duration.
When my neurologist concluded it was an ocular migraine 2 years ago, I didn't make the afib connection and didn't bring that up. I also have a rare neuropathy with lots of neuro issues so that just seemed like one more. At the time, I went to see her because I was more worried that it might be my advanced breast cancer spreading to my brain, but luckily a brain MRI confirmed it wasn't.
Blessings to all hoping you all find solutions to your visual disturbances.
Suggest you record everything your eating and your routine, too. I discovered mine was eggs, sauerkraut, and processed foods. Odors will also cause the issue.
My triggers include bright light, smoke and dark chocolate. Interestingly, milk chocolate doesn't seem to be a problem.... and I'm glad about that!
I’ve had them for years and sometimes go weeks without one but yesterday had 3, one in bed at night others in the house. Used to think it was the sun since I spend a lot of time outside but yesterday 2 were in the dark! Never had 3 in one day!
I've had them for over 35 years.
Low dose aspirin keeps them away. Through trial and error, I've determined that taking the low dose aspirin (81mg) 3 times per week is enough to prevent them from happening. Mine were usually associated with bright lights or intensely examining details in a bright lighting or sometimes computer use. A opthomologist recommended the aspirin but 5mg per day caused too much bruising as did the low dose, if I took it every day.
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1 ReactionI have them too and it seems to be triggered by bright lights and LED lights. My vision is complete blurred. They come suddenly . I take baby aspirin and in about 15 to 20 minutes I’m okay. I had an MRI on my brain and everything was okay.
I used to get them. Figure out what you’re eating that is causing them. (This way you avoid the meds that will cause damage to your body and mask the migraine.) My case is eggs, sauerkraut, coffee with caffeine, alcoholic beverages and foods with nitrates in them (Bacon, lunch meats, sausage…processed foods). The other thing you need to understand is the fact that migraines can lead to STROKES . I strongly encourage you to get off of all REFINED SUGAR for this reason. For some reason folks don’t like hearing that so they ignore it. You’ll remember my words after the stroke! I’ve adjusted my diet and no longer get Migraines. By the way, I've had an ischemic stroke. It has damaged my right arm. I learned about the association of migraines and strokes too late and went into the third possible stage of CRPS. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone…so 1.) adjust your diet, 2.) get off of refined sugar and 3.) exercise. You CAN do it!
Haven’t had sugar since the 90’s, eat very healthy and exercise regularly! I’m also allergic to eggs and had food allergy testing so avoid those foods! I thought it was sun since I spend a lot of time outdoors but now even get them in the middle of the night!