Red and green checkerboard pattern....

What does your ophthalmologist have to say about that? It doesn’t sound typical of the type of visual disturbances for glaucoma. The fact that it only happens occasionally makes me wonder if it could be ocular migraines (painless) or even TIAs. Best to get it checked out. How long does it last?

never lasts more than about 5-10 minutes, often much less
happened at the Ophthalmologists office yesterday he had never heard of it Painless Ocular Migraines? hmmm Thanks

Bobby
I've been fighting glaucoma for 30 years now. I discovered recently that I have color blindness for red and green and could not see the color of the two stars in the movie Wicked. I suggest you try taking color blindness test. I scored 38% on one test and did above 70% on two others. I can see red and green normally but not in timed vision tests.
Don

That’s a bit concerning that your ophthalmologist is unfamiliar with painless ocular migraines since they are not uncommon. Hmmm is right. Your quest for answers continues.

From what I’ve read, TIAs tend to start and stop suddenly and typically last 5 min or less. Ocular migraines tend to come on gradually, go away gradually and last longer.

Ocular migraines seem to be harmless on their own except for the fact you can’t see temporarily so it depends on what you’re doing at the time.

TIAs are of greater concern and the cause should be investigated. Hope the checkerboard vision is nothing more than a nuisance for you.

It’s amazing how many weird things can happen to our body. Just because it’s not in a textbook doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Best of luck.

My mom had a similar experience. She was in her 80’s and saw checkerboard patterns and sometimes stripes. Her ophthalmologist also had no clue. It turns out her blood pressure was sky high and when corrected, the visual disturbances went away.

That actually makes sense. I just flashed back to an old memory. I could never tolerate running even as an athletic kid. When I was a young adult I tried doing intense exercise like the stair stepper at the gym and playing racquetball but within 5 minutes of either I would start seeing silver stars flying everywhere just like getting bonked on the head in a cartoon. It was a bit concerning and I stopped those activities. I asked my doctor about it and he actually burst out laughing, yep. I guess it was funny that someone young and in seemingly good condition couldn’t tolerate those activities. He said it was from a sudden rise in blood pressure pushing on the back of my eyes just like when you rub your eyes too hard while drying off with a towel and see colors.

So @bobbylove88 maybe check your blood pressure next time it happens. Do you think that could be it for you?