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Occular Migraine? Aura without headache?

Posted by esikora @esikora, May 24, 2023

Anyone else experience aura without headache? Please share. Thanks.

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turley78 | @turley78 | Jan 31 8:41am
In reply to @californiazebra "Hi @esikora -- I had my one and only ocular migraine, no headache, about a year..." + (show)
@californiazebra

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.

Jump to this post

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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1 reply
pacer3702 | @pacer3702 | Feb 1 9:39am

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.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Feb 2 3:31pm
In reply to @turley78 "My eye doctor also advised me that my ocular migraines are nothing to be concerned about...." + (show)
@turley78

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?

Jump to this post

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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3kU-UckIRQ

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.

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grannyzoo | @grannyzoo | Feb 3 7:03am

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.

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esikora | @esikora | Feb 3 7:12am

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!

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