Ocular Migraine
I have experienced migraine headaches as long as I can remember, but about 3 years ago I experienced my first ocular migraine. The pictures below are the best I’ve found that come close to accurately depicting what the distortion looks like to me. The pictures show the steps of the distortion, starting in the central vision and moving to the periphery. What’s not shown in the images are the bright colors and sparkling effects that I see within the shapes. It can last a few minutes to several hours (atypical ocular migraine). I have not had a second ocular migraine until just a couple of weeks ago, and now they are occurring with alarming regularity. My mom suffered from migraines and ultimately died from a stroke (there is some associated risk for migraine sufferers to have a stroke), so this increase in ocular distortions is extra unsettling for me. – OneMom 
Hi- My name is Sandy & I first came across your blog from Bill Steffan’s weather blog on Wood TV 8. I was so happy to find it. My daughter homeschools her 3 children. Two have learning disabilities but are catching up quickly. I enjoy reading your blog. Anyway back to ocular migraines. I had the regular migraines(with the awful headache) for years when I was younger & then I got what they call ocular migraines. With these I didn’t get the bad headaches but the distortion that you describe. It is very unsettling to experience this. A rhuematologist told me to avoid 5 foods that trigger migraines & it should help. They are tomatoes, bananas, pineapple, walnuts, & swiss cheese. I do fine with the first three but I really watch the walnuts & try to avoid them. Swiss cheese is a major trigger for me. I avoid it always. All three of my daughters get migraines & they are all in their early 40′s. My mom never had migraines. Hope this info helps.
Hi Sandy – I stop by Bill’s Weather Blog periodically, but not as often as I use to … I really appreciate his detailed analysis of weather forecasting.
Have had (still have) migraine headaches for much of my life. Several years ago I suffered a detached retina (I’m very myopic which is an increased risk of detachment), so when my first ocular migraine appeared 3 years ago, I was certain my retina was detaching. Since my ocular migraines tend to be atypical (lasting much longer than the typical 15 or 30 minutes), it increased my concern of detachment. In the last 3 weeks or so, they have been happening much more frequently.
Hormones and weather have been the only identifiable triggers of my migraine headaches; there is no pattern for what is triggering the recent ocular migraines.
Have your daughters had ocular migraines as well?
My youngest daughter gets the ocular migraines too. She gets both kinds. She says lack of sleep, stress & hormones play into hers. The other 2 girls don’t get ocular migraines. When the dr first told me about the 5 foods I was pretty skeptical but I can tell you that before I knew about that & I had had swiss cheese two days in a row I had a bad ocular migraine. So I avoid it. It helps me. What you are going thru is scary. When I would go thru it I would end up just sitting or laying down. Trying to relax & breathe slowly trying to relax was hard. Hope this info helps.
Sorry to hear you are still having these migraines. I hope everything works out and you start feeling better.
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Hi Larry – it’s especially unnerving when I’m driving.
Have you been getting enough quality sleep? My headaches show up when I get 2-3 days of less than 7 hours sleep. They first started for me when I was a soccer player. Initially, I associated it with dehydration after games. I think that is probably a contributor, too. Now, they are rare for me. But, they almost always occur together (ocular and typical migraine). Mine aren’t so bad that I require prescription medication or even sought medical care for them. BC Powder and a good nap usually get me back in front.
My wife first had an ocular migraine after she was pregnant. I wonder…
I’ll remember you in my prayers during Mass today.
Hi Vince – quality sleep? Not so much – hadn’t thought about that. The work schedule has been long and intense the last few weeks especially. My ocular migraines have not been associated with headaches (my migraines headaches have never had aura). I have imitrex for my headaches, but my ophthalmologist does not think the imitrex would do anything for the ocular migraine. The longest stretch I went without a headache was when I was pregnant (that was 11 years ago).
Oh, I get ocular migraines also. Mine happen when I am stressed out or during exposure to really, really bright lights. Mine look similar to yours and take about 20 to 30 minutes to run their course. I love that you are educating folks because during my first one I thought I was having a stroke. I called my eye doctor the next day and his nurse told me what it was.
Keep us posted OM. Love you…Cat, Chaps and Emma ATB
with my history, my first one made me think I was detaching a retina. Very unsettling.
Another thing you and I have in common.
I have never heard of this. What a weird feeling that has to be to have your vision distorted. And scary. I hope you can figure out how to make them go away for good.
Hi Cindy – good to see you. How is the Doyle-pack? Yes, the ocular migraine is a very strange sensation to be sure.
Doyle pack is doing great. Getting older and more ornery every day. Except for sweet Rugs.
Rugs is a very sweet and grateful hound. Give them all a big hug from me and Hannah.