Ocular Migraine

[winniesanderson]

I've just had what I think was an ocular migraine for the first time (I'm 40). It was like a rainbow coloured lightning bolt that flashed and kept getting bigger and bigger. Absolutely terrified me - thank god for Google. But I was wondering if anyone else has had them did/do you feel really cold afterwards? I'm not normally one for feeling the cold but even now 20 mins later I'm shaking and can't warm up.

Also any idea on what triggers them? It's been an insanely stressful day here and I've had about 3 hours sleep since 3am Saturday morning so I'm guessing this might be what's caused it. But I've been sleep deprived plenty before and never experienced anything like it.

Stress, poor sleep, and too much screen time. I find all you can do is lie down, close your eyes and wait for it to pass. Maybe a dip in blood pressure might be a factor leading to feeling cold?

Yeah I get them occasionally,they don't hurt but afterwards I feel wrecked and need to sleep. Fortunately they only last about 10-20 mins.

Feels like a bad hangover afterwards - no energy, cold, feeble.
Triggers are certain light, dehydration, lack of sleep and stress.
Horrible things, hope you feel better soon

I've been told by doctors and opticians that I have ocular migraines, but they don't seem to be the same as yours, I get pixilated eye sight.

the triggers are stress, lack of sleep or far too long looking at my phone.

I get them. Triggers are poor sleep, bad posture, caffeine, dehydration, stress. They pass quickly with paracetamol useful. Weirdly, afterwards I crave caffeine or salt

I get them about once or twice a month , it’s literally like a kaleidoscope , usually in my left eye , they aren’t painful and leave no after effects . I’ve told my optician and my GP and neither are concerned . I do have a vitreous detachment in my left eye as well , and very peculiar eyesight in both eyes .

It wouldnt hurt to book an appointment with an optician for a check up.

When I had what I thought was an ocular migraine I booked one. Take someone with you as they might want to put drops in to dilate your pupils so they can have a good look around (you won't be able to drive after).

They could tell from my eyes that I had high blood pressure and suggested seeing a Dr who confirmed it and I am now on HBP needs. Havent had another since.

I had one for the first time last week - it was scary as it felt like my sight was disappearing a few pixels at a time. Lasted less than half an hour. Early night and no further issues but it was weird while it lasted.

I had this happen a year or two ago. I'd been swimming and then I came home and was looking at something on a screen and then wondered why I was seeing flashing lights everywhere. It lasted about ten minutes and went away.

It happened twice more, both times after doing sport, but it hasn't happened again. I have seen the optician since they happened.

I do get "normal" migraines quite frequently though not so much recently,

Coxspurplepippin it's is very strange isn't it, mine can last up to an hour, luckily the pixels don't disappear, and I can still see clearly enough.

I find eating something sugary such as half a packet of biscuits helps. I’d see an optician if it keeps happening.

I’ve had ocular & traditional migraines for years.
The normal migraine are almost always period related, the ocular ones are painless but unnerving & usually due to lack of sleep, dehydration and not eating.
I generally need to sleep to get my sight back properly & eat salty food.

Stress and lack of sleep. The weird thing is that they don't have the accompanying head pain of a regular migraine. I suffer from migraines and have had them since puberty, but have had only three ocular migraines.

Worth mentioning to your GP if you are on combined pill. I was but when I let the doc know I'd had an occular migraine they said i shouldn't be on combined pill any more so now on mini pill.

Had them for years usually eye strain or too much coffee. I lie down & close my eyes for 10 mins and it's gone , paracetamol helps .

Looking into bright sunshine triggered mine, I had one a few days after the initial one. I freaked right out!

Perimenopause too

See a doctor just in case. They're usually non dangerous but have risk factors so not to be taken casually.

I get what I thought were ocular migraines, but apparently are retinal migraines. They're caused by a constriction of a blood vessel in one eye. Mine start with what looks like a sun spot when you look at a bright light, which grows and wiggles...sorry the best way I can describe them. I can still see enough to function, but not look at a phone or watch TV. They resolve completely within 30 minutes and I have no other symptoms with them. I can go years without one, then have several in a week. Absolutely no idea what the trigger is.

Is this not a migraine with aura? Very different from an ocular migraine- the lights and zigzags are in both eyes vision and it is caused by brain activity not from the eye?

Thank you for all the replies, is really helpful to hear other's experiences. And oddly reassuring to hear that it's not unusual. I've not long seen an optician but wouldn't hurt to give them a ring and see what they think. @Hilty I'm not sure, I googled 'zig zag in eyes' 😂 in a bit of a panic and that's what came up.

Very strangely I found that mine were related to taking vitamins with Zinc in them.

Mine starts in top left hand corner of right eyes, moves around in a spiralling motion and looks like this:

I have only ever had them when pregnant so I'm guessing there's a hormonal cause for me.

I got them throughout my first pregnancy so it can be hormonal. Can also be linked to blood sugar. And stress.