Re Ocular Migraine / Kaleidoscope Vision ---- any recommendations?

Anyone experiencing Occular migraines?

I’ve been having them for about 20 years. It used to happen once or twice a year, some years not even that much, but the frequency has increased the past couple of years. When I had my first one, I went to my opthamologist for a diagnosis. He acted like it was no big deal, and it was so infrequent that I didn’t worry about it.

I see my opth. once a year for dry AMD and I have an appt. with my him in a few weeks, so I’m going to ask him about it.

I haven’t notice any triggers. It just happens randomly, beginning with a mild disruption in my vision. At first, I think my contacts are blurry and I need to clean them or something. Within a minute or so, I recognize what’s happening and I can close my eyes and see what you describe as “kaleidoscope vision”. Although, I hadn’t heard that term before, it accurately describes what I see. Mine is usually an arc or circle of tiny X’s that sparkle. At first I can only see it if I close my eyes. As it progresses, I can see it with open eyes.

Even though they are more frequent now, they seem to be less severe and of shorter duration. I used to not be able to read or watch TV and the whole episode lasted about 45 minutes. Now, I can still watch TV (or drive, if it happens while driving), but I can’t read. And they only last 10-20 minutes.

The first time it happened, I was left with a dull headache and very sleepy. I think I slept for several hours after. But now the headache is very slight and I don’t feel that sleepiness afterwards. I recover almost as soon as my vision clears.

Sounds almost identical to me. Very random, eyesight seems to be blurry coming from either the left or right side. The blurriness goes all the way to the center of vision before it starts backing off and receding. Last about 30 minutes. I've not had a severe headache in quite a long time, which is great. The headaches would last all day when I was younger. I'm 63 now, I've had them for years. My daughters have them as well, so whatever it is, appears to be genetic at least for my family. I can almost guarantee an episode after working out. Other instances are very random. Going from a dark room to Lightroom. Having a general conversation with someone it doesn't matter completely random now Only consistency/trigger is working out. I get them much more often now than when I was younger. Maybe one or two a day couple times a week. Ophthalmologist of course doesn't see anything because its part of how your brain processing vision and has nothing to do with your eyes My understanding is that it's some type of vascular spasm in the back of your brain cutting off blood supply. I'm not having much success with this, but I've tried ice packs on the back of my head to see if it quickens or lessens the effects of the event. In the back of the brain is where the vision is controlled. From what I understand the vessels are either spasming or reduce blood flow is present. I've just learned to live with it. Takes about 30 minutes to get over and episodes. Makes things difficult when you're driving or trying to do something that requires concentration.

I have been getting them off and on for over 20 years. I haven’t identified any triggers. It seems to be random. My present as black and jagged kaleidoscope. It seems that i go through phases sometimes having several in a week, then it will be weeks or months before i have another one. None of the eye doctors’ have ever seemed concerned about them..

I’ve had them for five years, sometimes every day to weeks apart. I get the kaleidoscope crescent moon shape that starts mildly in the center of my vision then increases in intensity as it moves up or down and to the left and fades away. I can close either eye and still see it. Episodes last 20 mins or so, no headaches or other symptoms. While usually random, I’ve noticed a trigger from going into a bright area then into a darker area so they occur more frequently in summer. Two ophth docs have told me the cause is unknown and there is no treatment. I can drive while having an episode but it does make it difficult to see the pins when I have one during bowling.

Check out MyMigraineTeam.com. Lots of support there like the Mayo support.

Just FYI, I have had them for ~35 years. The first time I was freaked out and drew a picture of the kalidoscope effect with color pencils (happened at work). It was a half circle with many little triangles of various colors, all rapidly scintillating. Went to see an eye doctor who told me they call it a visual migrane and said they are very common. No known cause. I too tend to get them in groups over the course of a few weeks and then maybe won't have one for half a year. Interesting that I NEVER get headaches so these are totally unrelated to that. Now in my 70s and they seem to go away faster. They might not even get to the phase where you see the kaliedoscope.

Sounds like migraine. Maybe see a neurologist.