Kaleidescope eyes - migraines without headaches

[oldbanger]

I've had quite an interesting experience today - my vision became temporarily blurred, then I developed a prismatic ring in my field of vision, in both eyes, not dissimilar to looking through a kaleidescope. By the time I called for advice, it had just started to wear off, lasted about 20 minutes in all. Docs wasn't much help to be honest (although I am getting myself down to the surgery as soon as practical). However the visual effect was so specific I was able to research it quite quickly (there's plenty of figures/animations online) and it apears to be due to migranes.

But I don't have headaches, at least not very often, and I certainly haven't developed one now. Has anyone else exerienced this? I would be interested for info from anyone who has migranine, in particular to understand any triggers that people have spotted.

[mattikake]

I used to get this occasionally for about 10 years after a head injury, although it was accompanied by a severe day-long headache. Seems almost exactly as you describe. Mixed-up animated vivid colours in a small portion of my field of view and in the same location, regardless if I closed one or both eyes - so a brain problem not an eye problem.

Soon after the head injury I was getting these about once a month but they became less and less frequent until about a year apart and haven't had anything for about 15 years now.

I put it down to brain plasticity and self-repair.

btw at any stage from injury to now, all NHS doctors and GPs didn't give a fk.

[TheEnd]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma
"-It may occur as an isolated symptom without headache in acephalgic migraine."

I've had it twice now, no headaches or anything else feeling unusual, just the light show.
No obvious triggers, lasted about 5-6 mins I think, then then fades away again.

[oldbanger]

It's reassuring that neither of you have had it that frequently. I couldn't even dial a telephone accurately, so wouldn't want to be operating machinery.

[DaveJns]

Got these 3/4 times during my undergrad, always under extreme stress i.e. when acting manager at work on a 12 hour shift with my finals starting the next day. Eventually one evolved into a full blown migraine. Full kaleidescope thing - then blindness, then just gone, in a matter of seconds. Totally normal vision restored followed by the actual 'migraine' 15 minutes later.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Very unpleasant though.

[Catz]

Yup I get similar.

My eyes go mental, like I've had some weird drugs. It's hard to explain what I see but it's all hazy, rippling and well not normal at all.

If I'm not working I can lie in a dark room for 15 mins, take some ibuprofen and it will go. At work it's a case of turn off all lights and hope it will go.
Not pleasant, although my episodes don't usually end in a massive headache they can end in not seeing properly and just feeling weird!

Edit to add ... this is often triggered by some form of lighting which my eyes don't like. Fluorescent esp if it flickers a bit. Although has been triggered by unknown things too.

Edited by Catz on Friday 11th October 00:37

[davhill]

Yep, been there, done it, got the T-shirt, scraped off the film.

It seems to be stress-related and lasts about 20 minutes. No headache, just the light show and a weird feeling.

Lately, it was associated with my injecting Interferon Beta for MS. Off that stuff now and it's
certainly lessened.

Not really worth worrying about - it has never lasted more than 20 mins so far.

[br d]

I get these from time to time right around my peripheral vision, right eye normally but sometimes both. First time was unnerving but they don't bother me now, if I feel it coming on when I'm driving I pull over and wait till it's gone.
If you concentrate you can pick up the patterns, I've drawn them down on paper before and the are pretty psychedelic!

Stress related I think, if you're getting no pain I wouldn't worry too much.

[Hoofy]

I had that a few years ago as a one off, too. It was very bizarre. One minute I was able to see my screen, next minute it was like one massive screen saver. No pain. Just the funky light effects.

[mr.man]

I spoke to my optician about this and he reassured that me that they are very common, more so with age.
His explanation was linked to either a vein or a nerve thinking there was oxygen starvation
in the sight mechanism and fooling the brain signals received from the optic nerve.
I can't remember more but it is harmless and corrects itself in about twenty minutes.

[Rgee]

I get these about once every 2 years and have been for the last 30 odd years. Starts with a slight flicker in the corner of the vision which starts getting bigger and moves to the middle of the vision. A bit like the bright filament on the old light bulbs. This usually lasts about 30 mins. After this I have had a massive headache or feel sick but in the last few years I have only had the light aura. Stopped trying to pinpoint what the triggers are as it appears just random so I just go with the flow when it happens.

[DavesFlaps]

I've had these a few times over the past year.

Went to see my GP as it was a fairly scary experience. She said they'd "let me off" with having the one, but if it happened again to go straight back to them.

It happened again, I went back, saw another GP who said "meh!".

Happened again then the headaches started.

Sent for a CT scan - they didn't find anything (not even a brain).

Still get the headaches but am just living with them.

[Piersman2]

I had exactly what the OP described maybe 10 times over a 3 month period a couple of years back. Nothing similar since.

No idea what the trigger was, maybe too much time at the computer screen was my thoughts at the time.

Very discombobulating experience though.