Retinal migraines

HazeBaze · 2024-10-26T20:39:19+00:00

I have been getting wavy lines in the peripheral vision of my left eye on and off for the last few weeks or so. I went to the optician, and they said I was having retinal migraines, and they are largely induced by stress. I was just looking for advice from anyone who has had retinal migraines before. How long did you have them for before they went away for good? The optician asked if I drive! Will I have my driving licence taken away from me if it only affects one eye and in the peripheral vision? Is there anything I can do to stop or ease the retinal migraines (asides from being less stressed, as I doubt that will happen any time soon!) Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated!

MidlandsWoman · 26/10/2024 22:05

I have them. They haven't gone away for good, but there were certainly points in my life when I had more of them that I do now. I'm not sure if there's any good reason to think that they are down to stress.

ForPearlViper · 26/10/2024 22:06

If you are worried see your GP. I have had visual migraines for years and they are very, very common. I have never had one when driving - if I at some point I did I would speak to my optician or GP.

I find getting up, walking around and changing focus can help - particularly focussing on the far horizon, then near, then far - or distraction such as focussing on something attention engaging, like a dog playing, can help.

They don't go away but I can get none for months and then two in as many days.

theredspindletree · 26/10/2024 22:10

I've had a few- first time somewhere with a lot of lights which I thought triggered it - I just went outside, sat in car for 10 mins and shut my eyes and it went away. But also had them a couple of times outside in the sun - certainly not stressed but I just think maybe the bright light? Now I know what they are I don't panic and just wait for them to pass.

Original poster

HazeBaze · 26/10/2024 22:11

MidlandsWoman · 26/10/2024 22:05

I have them. They haven't gone away for good, but there were certainly points in my life when I had more of them that I do now. I'm not sure if there's any good reason to think that they are down to stress.

When I went to the optician and described what was happening, she asked me if I was stressed. I told her I've had so much more stress to deal with lately than ever before. But I did google about retinal migraines when I left, and there are many factors which can cause them, but stress and smoking are both the main ones I believe. X

OP posts:

BecauseRonald · 26/10/2024 22:13

I get them maybe a couple of times a year and they last 15-30 mins. For me they are related to perimenopause not stress.

Floralnomad · 26/10/2024 22:14

I’ve had optical migraines for a few years now , I have no idea what causes mine as I’m definitely not stressed and don’t smoke . They vary in frequency and I can go months between them and then have a few in a cluster . If you are worried speak to your GP .

Garlicbest · 26/10/2024 22:14

I get them, too. More when I'm tired or run down. No clear association with stress. They started with the menopause - as did my sister's, though Mum didn't have them.

With mine (and my sister's), the zigzags open out from a sort of spiral into a wiggly, zigzaggy line across my whole field of vision - this is when it seems the brightest, and is the beginning of dissipation. They last 10-15 minutes, and are followed by a sense of weariness.

If you see the start of one while driving, it's safest to pull over and have a drink (Pepsi for us) while it unfolds.

Could be a lot worse - this type of migraine doesn't come with pain!

Original poster

HazeBaze · 26/10/2024 22:16

ForPearlViper · 26/10/2024 22:06

If you are worried see your GP. I have had visual migraines for years and they are very, very common. I have never had one when driving - if I at some point I did I would speak to my optician or GP.

I find getting up, walking around and changing focus can help - particularly focussing on the far horizon, then near, then far - or distraction such as focussing on something attention engaging, like a dog playing, can help.

They don't go away but I can get none for months and then two in as many days.

Thank you for your reply. I guess it's just a bit hit and miss. I was told to get bloods and BP from my doctors to rule anything sinister out. But I think it probably is down to stress because I've been very stressed lately. Luckily I haven't had any whilst driving as of yet, but I'm just worried they will take my driving licence away from me, as I really rely on my car. X

OP posts:

BecauseRonald · 26/10/2024 22:16

the zigzags open out from a sort of spiral into a wiggly, zigzaggy line across my whole field of vision - this is when it seems the brightest, and is the beginning of dissipation. They last 10-15 minutes,
Yes it's exactly like this!

Tigresswoods · 26/10/2024 22:17

I was getting ocular migraines, the kaleidoscope type. Optician told me they're neurological & nothing to do with my eyesight.

Nurse at my GP practice who specialises in menopause (I'm only 44 & no other peri signs) whipped me off the pill & got me the implant. Only had one since then & it was immediately after I got it.

Original poster

HazeBaze · 26/10/2024 22:19

theredspindletree · 26/10/2024 22:10

I've had a few- first time somewhere with a lot of lights which I thought triggered it - I just went outside, sat in car for 10 mins and shut my eyes and it went away. But also had them a couple of times outside in the sun - certainly not stressed but I just think maybe the bright light? Now I know what they are I don't panic and just wait for them to pass.

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry to hear you get them also. I don't think mine are because of the light as most have been when it's been quite dim outside, I also got one when I first woke up in a dark room. X

OP posts:

KnittedCardi · 26/10/2024 22:20

Like pp, I get the zig zaggy lines. Mine started with menopause too. I just lie down with my eyes shut and sunglasses on for about 20 mins. I keep the glasses on for a bit longer when they fade and I get up, as it seems to help..... But that could just be me. I've had maybe three this year so far.

Original poster

HazeBaze · 26/10/2024 22:26

Blimey, there are quite a few people who are experiencing this with menopause or perimenopause.
Perhaps that's what's happening with me? I'm 37. Is that around the age?
Could that be why I'm feeling so stressed at the moment?

OP posts:

Xyz1234567 · 26/10/2024 22:26

Thanks for this post. It's reassuring for me as I have been getting them last couple of years since going through menopause. I have had them up to 5 days in a row and usually have one about every 10 days on average. I don't suppose there's anyone out there that can tell us they stop when menopause settles down?
I don't think anyone will take your driving licence.

Original poster

HazeBaze · 26/10/2024 22:37

Xyz1234567 · 26/10/2024 22:26

Thanks for this post. It's reassuring for me as I have been getting them last couple of years since going through menopause. I have had them up to 5 days in a row and usually have one about every 10 days on average. I don't suppose there's anyone out there that can tell us they stop when menopause settles down?
I don't think anyone will take your driving licence.

Yes, that would be good to know if they stop eventually after the menopause!
Thank you for your reassurance regarding the driving licence. I was so panicked because she asked me if I drive. So I thought she may have to contact the DVLA!
I will obviously pull over if this ever happened while driving.
But it would be great to know if it did go away eventually.

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 26/10/2024 22:43

I am post menopausal and still get them .

Whoknowswhatanymore · 26/10/2024 22:58

They are also known as migraine with aura…basically the aura (the zig zag, weird lines or whatever it is you see) starts first and is the sign to tell you you’re getting a migraine, and can last typically between 10-30 minutes. One eye only. I can time mine on the dot at 30 mins but used to be 20 mins when I was younger. Then all of a sudden I can see again and the headache starts, usually within 10 minutes and on the opposite side to the eye that was affected with the aura. The headache can be almost insignificant or very severe. It can leave you feeling woozy, light headed, hungry, with brain fog, anxious, angry, or extremely tired. It can last 12-24 hours or days. You can have multiple over several days or just one in a few months. Sometimes the trigger is obvious, sometimes it’s not. I’ve suffered all of my life and learned to live with them because doctors don’t seem bothered. Your risk of stroke is heightened so I’m told. They run in my family, so hereditary but that isn’t the case for everyone. I hope they find a cure one day cos they are horrible. Take care and get plenty of rest because that does help x

Whoknowswhatanymore · 26/10/2024 23:00

Oh and hormones, play havoc with migraines! Like we don’t have enough going on! 😫

MidlandsWoman · 27/10/2024 10:10

I suspect that mine are hormonal too, I think. I had terrible ones on the Mirena coil (among a whole load of other reactions) and also have had them with perimenopause. (I had them when I was younger though too, also related to hormones. I had no idea what was going on.) As PP said, they also seem triggered by certain kinds of lighting in my case. Stress might be a factor, but I don't think it's the only one.

DS has them too, and I suspect my DM did.