Ocular migraine

I get those too. I used to occasionally get the full blown migraine but since menopause it’s just the ocular ones triggered regularly when I was taking statins. Apart from that I have no idea why I get them other times, although sometimes it’s when I’m stressed. Not sure anyone really knows what causes them.

I don't think anyone really knows. I get them occasionally (zigzags), and can have none for a few years then a couple within a month. I don't get any headache or nausea - just the visual disturbance.

The first time it happened I obviously checked it out with my GP, but since then have just ignored them. (Obviously you need to stop if your driving, but they clear after 15 minutes or so). They don't seem to be connected with anything - stress, food or whatever.

I get them randomly and can’t think of any connecting trigger.
I’ve had them whilst out walking , at work, driving, watching TV, at all times of day and night.

I got them when I had two young children and a stressful job. It was scary until the Gps ran various tests to check all was ok.

I have them occasionally and they seem to be triggered by the sun which I try to avoid looking up towards. Another trigger is ceiling spotlights which my dentist waiting room has. No headache and no nausea - episode passes within 30mins after taking two paracetamol.

I had an aura like a star (very festive!) in both eyes last week. No headache, but felt a bit funny for a while afterwards. It lasted about half an hour. I think it's something, well for me anyway, about changes in the light. I'd gone from being outside in the half light just before dark into a very bright kitchen. I've had similar things in the past. I just put my eye mask on and sat quietly until it passed. Always a bit scary though.

Get the relevant tests, but my advice is to start a migraine diary. I was advised to do this. I put in screen time, sleep patterns, food, coffee and tea amounts, alcohol etc.

My specialist told me that migraines are set off by having a combination of two irritants, it could be tiredness and dehydration, or bright sunlight then seeing stripes. If you write down in your daily log patterns and triggers will start to form. Once you have an idea it will make it easier to avoid them and setting a migraine off.

I had a injection in my nerve - I forget what it was, but didn’t work for me - but I’ve heard it was very successful in ending migraines for months on end for others.

I have Ucular migraines very rarely, three over the last twenty years - zig zags, bright tunnels but no headache or sickness, they usually begin with black floaters, progressing to the bright black/white patterns.

Each time I've had one it's been during a very stressful time, which I now associate them with. They're scary at the time but thankfully don't last long, but like others here say, they leave me feeling 'strange' for quite a while afterwards.

Mine are triggered when light catches my eye in a certain way. No headaches or sickness since the menopause- just the lights and weakness.
My daughter has full blown torturous migraines if she has dairy although a splash of milk in a brew is fine. It took years to be able to pin the cause down.

I was getting them when my neck muscles were strained due to bad position at the computer.

Have had these for years. Stress, low blood sugar, caffeine, bright sunlight all trigger mine. But be careful watch your blood pressure.
I get a blind spot then zigzag lights. No headache. I have a drink and lie down for a while.

Same here visual disturbances with coloured zig zag lights, lasting approx 15 mins, no migrane. I actually self diagnosed myself through dr Google, then mentioned it to the optician who confirmed. I’ve had them for many years, starting when I was working and couldn’t see the keyboard.

I get them occasionally - recently I had three almost at once but nothing since. I put it down to stress.

PS actually ours are ‘Visual Migranes’ as they affect both eyes rather than just one as in Ocular Migrane, which is rarer and more serious.

I also have these episodes of scintillating scotoma, sometimes brought on by facing a bright light. My optician said not to worry, which I didn't anyway. As BlueSky describes, mine are always in both eyes too.

Shysal thank goodness for posts like these or people would freak out if it happened to them!

Ellie Anne, I get them since the menopause too - much better than the classic ones I had before, though. I had my eyes checked, just in case - and my male optician gets them too.

Christmas lights set them off, along with screens, stress - even car lights if I travel. I get zig-zag flashing, semi-circular rainbows (still there when I close my eyes) for about 20 minutes.

They grow and move across my vision, from right to left - pretty annoying, but nothing compared to the previous sickness and extreme headache that only a long sleep would help with.

Yes, I get those too. No headache or other symptoms and it goes after about 30 mins to an hour. I o ly get them occasionally and have no idea of the triggers.

I describe mine (both eyes) as being like wriggling glass worms that obscure the visual field for half an hour or so, followed by a ghost of a headache. No obvious trigger bar low winter sunshine which can be hard to avoid.

I have had it once, just before covid. I thought some one had put something in my food, vision was out of focus and couldn’t get my balance. Fortunately I wasn’t driving. I have never had it since. The ophthalmologist didn’t think it was urgent, when I phoned and the following week when my appointment was due I canceled it because although I had the right to go it was lockdown and I thought it was too dangerous at the time.

Thank you all. Mine are in both eyes and I think it must be down to stress.

I had them when I was very distressed over something. When I became happier I did not get them at all. It's been a while now, but the last time it happened I was frightened because I had to walk home and couldn't see well.

They're horrible. I get them with stress and also bright lights. Stupidly I looked at a bright torchlight and instantly my vision was affected. The only thing to do is to sit down quietly for 20 minutes with eyes closed. Then it normally passes. However I did drink a very strong black coffee after a zigzag a week or so ago and was almost immediately better. Later I read that coffee can affect people in different ways - in some it can cause migraine and in others it can make it go away. Very odd.

I get them too.

I used to get full blown, terrible terrible migraines as a child, then I went years with nothing.

At just before menopause, I'd say, the ocular ones started.

It's the most disconcerting feeling, however many times it happens.

I always have a sickening feeling of dread, too, in case it will turn into a full blown version.