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General health

Visual disturbances...anyone got any experience?

20 replies

Ellbell · 26/09/2007 23:24

Hello

I was just sitting watching the news with dh when I became aware of a 'fuzzy' line right across my field of vision. Although it was right across my field of vision, it felt as if it was coming from my right eye (if that makes sense). Gradually it bent round and curved around the right side of my field of vision. It became sort of zig-zag in shape, and quite bright. I was really freaked (dh wasn't... he said 'Well, what can I do about it?' ). I didn't even feel able to move for a while, as it was right across everything I could see (so not just when I was looking at the TV). Eventually I forced myself to get up, and it seems to have disappeared now, although my eyes still feel a bit 'achey'.

I've never had anything like this before, although I do have quite a lot of floaters and am very short sighted. I have to keep an eye [no pun intended] on the floaters as in very short-sighted people I know they can be a sign of a detached retina, but I don't know if disturbances of the sort I just had are also linked with retina problems.

I am 40 and have never had a migraine before, although I know that visual disturbances can be linked with migraines.

I just typed it into google and scared myself silly, but I know that that was a stupid thing to do, so I will try to pretend I didn't do that .

Anyone got any ideas of what it might be (or failing that, if you'd like to hold my hand and make reassuring noises that would be fine too...). Thanks!

OP posts:

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SuGaRCoAteDPoiSOn · 26/09/2007 23:27

I've had the same thing and when I asked my gp he said it was a type of migraine. I didn't have any pain or anything, just felt a bit wiped out for a while and then it would be fine again.

Probably worth checking with your GP just to be sure tho cos I'm not a doctor

Ellbell · 26/09/2007 23:31

Thanks, sugarcoatedpoison (sorry - those caps are too hard for my poor confused brain!). At least someone else has had it!

Think I might phone GP in the morning. I know that to look at my retina they will have to give me drops which mean I can't drive, and dh is at work tomorrow, so that would be me buggered stuck in town with no way of getting home.

OP posts:

harrisey · 26/09/2007 23:32

sounds migrainey to me. They can be realted to food, or to hormones?

Ellbell · 26/09/2007 23:34

LOL... shall I blame berolina, Thomcat and SGK for making me broody and setting my hormones a-fluttering?

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harrisey · 26/09/2007 23:40

yes, blame them

I get mine at ovulation - today, (oowwwww)

Ellbell · 26/09/2007 23:42

Going to bed now. Hopefully will be OK tomorrow.

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EmsMum · 26/09/2007 23:49

Do you get regular checkups with optician? They will check for various problems and in some ways may be more expert than GP. Not sure how much it costs... I get them for free because I'm over 40 and dad had glaucoma which is inheritable.

Tiggiwinkle · 26/09/2007 23:50

Definitely sounds like a migraine "aura". I have had them for years-I get a hole in my vision to start with, then bright zig-zag lines of light that gradually move across my field of vision over a period of about 20 minutes. I have more of a sore head than a headache afterwards, but can feel a bit "under the weather" even the next day. Best to get it checked out if this is the first you have had.

spinspinsugar · 26/09/2007 23:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ellbell · 27/09/2007 12:07

Thank you all. Those links were really useful spinspin. Yes, that is just like what I was seeing last night. It does sound like a migraine, then. Today I have a slight headache/eyeache (it's more behind my eyes than across my forehead, iykwim) but am fine (at work) and can see OK. I do feel a bit spaced-out (some might say that they can't tell the difference ) and under the weather, though. Think I'll go and mention it to my GP. TBH I am relieved that it's nothing to do with my eyes. I do get them checked regularly, but they don't always check my retina, because that needs drops to dilate the pupil which means that your vision is blurry for quite some time afterwards.

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chopchopbusybusy · 27/09/2007 12:15

Thanks for these links spinspin. I have experienced this a couple of times recently (like link 1) and was a bit worried. Would never have thought migraine because I had no headache!

gegs73 · 27/09/2007 12:25

Hi Ellbell, I have had this a few times and was told by the doctor it was an ocular migraine

I get it maybe 1 or 2 times a year and it normally lasts an hour or so. Its worse if I'm tired or around really bright lights. I'm sure its nothing to worry about but would see your doctor if you are really concerned.

Ellbell · 27/09/2007 12:25

Hello chopchop... Good to know it's not just me.

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Kathyis6incheshigh · 27/09/2007 12:27

Yeah I have classic migraines with really weird auras. I don't tend to get the terrible headaches that most people with migraines get, but then I can feel wiped out for up to a week.

belgo · 27/09/2007 12:31

Ellbell - I've had exactly what you've described - not related to headaches - it's scarey isn't it?

The first one I had was just two days after giving birth so I suspect they are related to extreme tiredness. I've also had them in the sun light.

belgo · 27/09/2007 12:34

I've just read the ocular migraine link and realised that's exactly what I've had. Fascinating.

belgo · 27/09/2007 12:34

I have to lie down when I have them, then they go away.

crokky · 27/09/2007 12:35

I had exactly what you described - it sounds like a visual migrane.

I had it once when DS was very little and I was exhausted. Never had any other type of migrane.

milou2 · 02/10/2007 09:25

Hi, I have just spotted this thread.

If it helps, I get these visual disturbances. They have never progressed to anything more than feeling a bit spaced out as you describe.

I find bright lights or contrasts can start it, or that's the only thing I can think of! Also a stressed discussion. But it's only 1 in 100 bright lights or difficult discussions which set it off, not every time. Sometimes no obvious reason.

I take it as a great excuse/reason to rest, drink water, nibble an apple, breathe gently in and out and let it pass. Sometimes I need a good sleep afterwards. Opening a window to make sure I have more oxygen is nice too.

In general there are some deeply stressy aspects to my life and I'm sure dealing with those would be a help for me.

morningpaper · 02/10/2007 09:28

This happens to me a lot (I seem to say this to every weirdo health-related query )

The first few times I thought I had a brain tumour AT LEAST and was about to die

My visual field can go QUITE crazy and I can't read or anything

It RARELY turns into a migraine but does occasionally

GP called it "migrainalgia" or something - said it's a migraine that doesn't turn into head-pain

Lasts for about 45 minutes

Happens every few weeks

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