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Ocular Migraine? Aura without headache?
Headache & Migraine | Last Active: 10 hours ago | Replies (113)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "Hi @turley78 Having visual disturbances 8-10 times a day would definitely be distracting. Wow, sorry to..."
@californiazebra
Google this for interesting contrasts and links to research:
amaurosis fugax vs ocular migraine vs retinal migraine vs Cerebral Spreading Depression
My symptoms started about 15 years ago at 55. Colorful zigzag arcs affecting both eyes, taking 20-45 minutes to fan out & disappear, most clearly matching "migraine aura without headache" best described as CSD. Fascinating. No pain, no triggers yet identified. Sometimes several months without an episode, a few cases of up to three episodes over 24 hours. GP and eye specialists have not found medications or deep diagnostics warranted so far.
I keep watch for new findings from credible sources. Many any evidence-based, peer reviewed articles in my bookmarks. Google & AI can help find some. So can Google Scholar.
I'm lucky in that I really only have some trouble reading for the first 5 minutes or so. Not enough to impede other activities. Kind of a shame that the initial thrill/entertainment has faded.
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Hi Zebra,
Thank you for sharing your vision experiences. I'm sorry you have been through all that. I watched the video on Amaurosis Fugax which is really excellent.
I have had partial vision loss several times. It lasts for roughly an hour or longer. I was interested that the physician in the video said that if an incident lasts longer than a few minutes, it is likely not a TIA. My eye doc didn't have any helpful thoughts and I'm going to ask my cardiologist.
Thank you again and wishing you all the best with your health.