Sudden, temporary blurred vision - should we worry?

[SuperConfused]

For twenty minutes this evening, DPs vision in one eye went completely blurry. No other pain or symptoms, he was a bit concerned then after 20 minutes it went away.

He's now assuming its fine as it stopped but it doesn't sound really normal to me. I did some googling and came up with migraines but he has never had a migraine and it wasn't accompanied by any pain or pressure, and was super short so don't think it fits. He's been under quite a bit of work pressure recently and a bit under the weather with I think allergies the last week or so but we had a nice fairly laid back day.

Any thoughts? Anyone else experienced this?

[specialsubject]

you can get visual migraines - vision disturbance without the pain.

BUT still worth a check, I know it is just before Xmas but call NHS direct for advice, they will go through a checklist. Also it is just vaguely possible it is the start of a detached retina.

hope it is nothing to worry about - probably the case but better safe than sorry.

[SuperConfused]

Thanks, unfortunately we're overseas for christmas so can't ring NHS direct - I think we could see a GP privately here or go to an emergency room but DP thinks as its gone away its all fine and if anything happens again he'll consider do something.

So he's gone to the pub and I'm googling symptoms! I'm sure its ok but I do feel a bit anxious.

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

I had a couple of optical migraines last year - turned out I needed glasses.

[3littlefrogs]

I wouldn't just leave this. It could be a TIA (mini stroke).
He should have a proper check over by a doctor.
OTOH it could be nothing significant, but it is impossible to diagnose over the internet.

[Catsmamma]

...sounds like an visual migraine to me too, however if he sees any sudden onset flashing lights in points or in a particular place or notices any extra or new floaters then it's advisable to get checked out.

[ForTheLoveOfSocks]

Disturbed vision in my DMIL turned out to be a brain tumor.

She is fine, it's now removed and she's back to normal. However her symptoms included tiredness and headaches, which she put down to work and her age.

He should get it checked out, it could be something or nothing

[ashesgirl]

20 mins is classic amount of time to lose vision with a migraine.

[rabbitstew]

It's not a normal migraine aura if you only get it in one eye, it's a very much more rare type of migraine and he should definitely get it checked out, to see whether it is a very unusual type of retinal migraine, or something else. I get migraine auras without headache, but whilst they may only affect one side of my field of vision, they most definitely affect both eyes, in that if I wink one eye closed then swap to the other, I am still aware of the effect whichever eye is closed.

[Mealiepudding]

I had this about five years ago. Vision in my left eye was blurred for a couple of hours and I was so worried I went to the walk in centre at the local hospital (it was a Sunday so couldn't see my gp).

A doctor looked at me and couldn't find anything wrong. I went to the optician a few days later and he was unconcerned. I wasn't given an explanation - more of a shrug of the shoulders - but I do suffer occasionally from ocular migraines (visual disturbances only, no headache) so I'm assuming it was a variation of this.

[SuperConfused]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate this. We're back in the UK just after new years: I'd say my chances of getting him to try and find a doctor who will agree to see him while we're away are pretty low, especially if nothing recurs (if it does, I will insist he sees someone).

Will a doctor think its weird if he goes to talk about this in two weeks time? In fairness, at our surgery it might take him another week to get an appointment.

[SuperConfused]

oh, and just to say he went to an optician in the last four months I'd say and got a prescription for reading glasses, so I'd be surprised if its eye strain related but I suppose its possible.

[Iggity]

It's good that it resolved. If not I'd be thinking possible detached retina and in that case, it would be an emergency. Hope he is ok.

[SuperConfused]

And finally: he's only mid-thirties. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure about five years ago, but I think having made a few lifestyle changes that's gone back to normal. But he hasn't been to the doctor in over a year so I guess we have no way of knowing what his blood pressure is. (This is having googled TIAs, which seem to be the scariest possible option)

[SuperConfused]

Thanks Iggity: he's fine, I'm just a bit worried! He has quite a stressy job and operates a kind of benign neglect towards his health so when something like this happens I sort of worry that he would have discounted any other potential symptoms.

[dozily]

Mil had exactly this and it was a mini stroke. Hasn't affected her in any lasting way but do get it checked out!

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

How is he Super? Hope he's OK.

[SuperConfused]

Hi, thanks for asking. Got him to see a private gp here who checked his vision, blood pressure etc and basically said to come back if it happened again. In my paranoid state I would have appreciated some kind of scan, but am happy with the reassurance! He has been working really hard, long hours etc so I'm going to use this as another reason why we both need to start a more healthy lifestyle in the new year.

[Musicaltheatremum]

As a GP I would be referring that to the stroke team at the hospital for assessment. It is suggestive of amaurosis fugax which is the transient loss of vision in a transient stroke. (It could be other things too but you need the most serious excluded) most places in UK have rapid access clinics for this through neurology. He may get a scan but not necessarily. Also needs bloods checked. Have to say I would be concerned at that private GPs management.(although in his defence I don't have the whole story nor the patient in front of me)

[SuperConfused]

Thanks for that Musicaltheatremum. My feeling has been there would be better protocols for dealing with this under the NHS than here, and I'm glad someone agrees I'm not just being paranoid, though I am partially relieved the private gp was reassured.

We're not back in the UK until the 6th Jan. There are also added complications there because we moved recently a year ago and DP still hasn't actually registered with our local GP. If he gets an appointment then, would they still refer him? Would any blood tests be too late?

I remain worried because he has a family history of extremely high blood pressure, has been under a lot of stress and from a BMI point of view is overweight (he carries it well, but I suppose that doesn't make a difference as far as health impacts go).

Also stressed because upon thinking about it further I've linked this with the fact that during the year I was woken up twice because he basically stopped breathing in his sleep. It didn't last long, but totally freaked me out, and seemed very much like sleep apnea. He also didn't go to the doctor for that and it seemed to have stopped, but I now realise that may put him at a higher risk of stroke-related issues.

If he goes back to the GP and says something like, in August I definitely had symptoms of sleep apnea, and two weeks ago my eyesight went blurry in one eye for half an hour but I'm fine now: will they look into it? Can they look into it? Will it be too late after the fact for any tests?

He has said, after both these occurrences, that all a doctor would do is tell him to lose weight, which he knows he needs to do, and that he'll just do that instead. But I'm not convinced that's right.

[Beastofburden]

While waiting for our friendly GP to reappear- he's nuts. I daresay the GP will tell him to lose weight, BUT s/he will also give him something to keep him safe while he's doing it, such as statins to reduce the risk of stroke.

In your shoes I'm not sure I would stay away until 6 January without doing something a bit more rigorous, but then I am also a worrier.

[Musicaltheatremum]

Basically if this is a "transient ischemic attack"(TIA) then yes we would still refer. Bloods needed are blood count glucose, cholesterol, smoking history and BP done too. Then the important thing they would do at the hospital is to do an ultrasound of his carotid arteries to make sure no blockage. Needs to get registered when you get back but I would consider earlier than the 6th Jan.

[LittleNoona]

Was it blurred vision or like a curtain being pull across the eye?

YouTube visual migraine and have a look at the videos on there