Ocular Migraine? Aura without headache?

@pfrjr78: Thank you for the reply. I have a new Neurlogist I have set up with Johns Hopkins in the Baltimore office. Dr. Hale and an associate met with me in Aug. '25. Very lengthy consult with a hopeful change in my Vestibular Migraine condition that consist of differing symptoms that the usual migraine. Wish you the best and a hug from me too
Paul

@honeysuckle4 - has the epileptic drug helped with your ocular migraines at all? Have you experienced any side effects of the medication?

Hi all, I appreciate the passion you all bring to this discussion about ocular migraine with aura. I believe that everyone has their own way of dealing with auras, with lightheartedness or seriousness – likely some of both at different times – to try to manage something they would prefer not to experience at all. In 2023, I had a diagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor in my rectum found in my first colonoscopy and had to undergo a ton of testing to see if any cancer remained in my body. During this time, sometimes I would be very scared and break out crying, and at other times I could go for a laugh to lighten the mood. My husband sensed when I was in the latter kind of mood and would lightly joke about my rear end [insert more crass street term here] cancer.

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@esikora I am surprised you would react with such hostility. I was not being “snarky” I was relaying a very real and frightening experience that can affect someone who has these types of migraines. It is not a condition most people take so lightly. Especially if they are frequent, it can make it difficult to get around independently and even if they are harmless medically. I was genuinely saying the writer was fortunate. Perhaps you should reconsider your own interpretation of others.

@roseann4z
You could have made your (valid) point without the undertone of snark...The writer's intention was clearly to reassure sufferers that these spells are often harmless.

I guess you can close your eyes & enjoy the show if you are not driving when these occur-which has happened to me and I had to pull over until it was over. Luckily I was not on the highway. Once that happens to you it’s a little more difficult to take this symptom so lightly. You are fortunate.

@twilkens53 - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your attitude of closing your eyes and enjoying the light show is a good example of accepting and enjoying life as it comes.

What did the neurologist you saw indicate about a connection between menopause and the absent/ocular migraines?

I started having absent/occular migraines when I was going through menopause. That was 28 years ago. I was working long hours on the computer doing Excel spreadsheets. That instance began with a backwards C in each eye. I was afraid I was having a stroke, but otherwise felt fine and needed to finish my work project. It lasted about a twenty minutes to a half hour. Eventually I was checked out by a neurologist who diagnosed me with absent/occular migraines. Over the years, Ive had times where I’d have them every other week or so but typically in just one eye. Other times I will go for years without having any. Rarely I do get a minor headache that doesn’t usually require taking any medicine to relieve it. Mine usually start in the center of one of my eyes and slowly move to the outer aspect of that eye until it fades from view. Visible when my eyes are closed. People have posted online of what their aura looks like and it’s interesting to see. Mine typically have moving light blue, black, white and yellow zigzagging moving lines. But not always those 4 colors together. I’ve found mine to be typically triggered by exposure to different types of bright light or being stressed. Now I track them on my calendar and just sit back, close my eyes and enjoy the light show!

Just thought I'd share with someone, just had a double migraine, well, I call it 'double', as in one after another! oh joy! I'm not concerned; had it once or twice before in the past 30 years hardly regular. Had the usual scinilating scatoma, flashing C shape which dispersed to the peripheral edge but, before it was complete, a second one occured ( a reverse C) and dispersed to opposite side. However, the total duration was the usual 30 minutes. No headache. My last one was 10 weeks ago, so hardly a regular occurance. Number 7 this year. Probably get another one or two before the years out.....can't wait!

They are very difficult I have been dealing with them for 5 years but the colours and patterns after are getting worse ,I have been to my GP the hospital ,paid to see a Neaurologist as o just want to know what the colours and patterns are don't seen to be able to get an answer ,just given an auto epileptic drug to take for migraine which I must say o am very worried about taking ,but I do want this to stop.