Retinal / Ocular migraine

moments_of_sanity

Evening everyone

I have been diagnosed today with Retinal migraines, however, having read all the literature on it most of it says this should last anything up to 60 mins but mine lasts all day!

I have very poor sight in my right eye and the retinal migraines happen in my left eye making it very difficult to see anything. The eye specialist believes them to be stress related so has advised seeing my GP.

Has anyone else been diagnosed with these and if so do your symptoms last longer than 60 mins, I am concerned that mine last all day. No headache is present with them, just intense eye strain at the end of the day from my poor eye!?

melanzana

Hi,

I thought I was the only one with ocular migraine.

I have episodes rarely, but when they do occur last exactly 20 minutes. I get zig zags in phsychedelic colours across both eyes. Terrified me at first, but not now, I know it will pass. Glad I don't have the headache.

You should go back to the docs. Im no expert, but I don't think ocular migrane should last that long.

moments_of_sanity

melanzana wrote: »

Hi,

I thought I was the only one with ocular migraine.

I have episodes rarely, but when they do occur last exactly 20 minutes. I get zig zags in phsychedelic colours across both eyes. Terrified me at first, but not now, I know it will pass. Glad I don't have the headache.

You should go back to the docs. Im no expert, but I don't think ocular migrane should last that long.

Before today I had never heard of them at all. The eye consultant I saw today didn't seem to worried that they last that long but reading literature it seems they shouldn't.

I do get what I call shooting mercury bits in my vision but it's the problem of it being obscured for so long that is causing me problems, I am a full time PA and trying to see the computer screen when I get them is almost impossible and driving is out of the question completely! It is like someone has covered my eye in clinc film or clear jelly that you can't see anything clearly through - strange that I don't get the headache - well not caused by the Retinal migraine, just caused by the eye strain it puts on my vertually non seeing eye. I get at least 2 a week and always on a work day so am guessing it has something to do with that.

arbroath_lass

I'm like Melanza - mine last 20 minutes. The first one was really scary. I feel like I'm looking at everything through running water. I get it in one eye only but I can't read or concentrate on anything for the 20 minutes.

You really need to see your GP.

fatbelly

I'm the same. Probably about one episode per year, tends to be stress related.

I get the colours as a ring, spreading outwards, both eyes. I know now just to lie down and rest - probably for about an hour to make sure my vision is back.

I do feel a bit 'dull' for the next 24 hours but no pain. I had my first episode in my 40s.

moments_of_sanity

arbroath_lass wrote: »

I'm like Melanza - mine last 20 minutes. The first one was really scary. I feel like I'm looking at everything through running water. I get it in one eye only but I can't read or concentrate on anything for the 20 minutes.

You really need to see your GP.

That is a very good description of them, everything starbursts as well in that nothing has a defined shape and colours seem to bleed out.

I am going to see my GP on Monday morning, my hospital appointment was late morning and by the time my pupil had gone back to normal size and I could see again it was too late to make an appointment.

Hermia

The main part of my migraine probably lasts about half an hour, but I think it starts earlier. For example, last time I got one I was getting ready for work, I was very tired and saw a couple of colours in front of my eyes. I didn't think migraine as it was only for a second. But, a couple of hours later at work I got the proper migraine for 25 minutes.

kafkathecat

I get three different auras dloosely linked to what triggered it. All last about 20 minutes. Stress - black and yellow zig zags on the left side of both eyes. Sunlight - grey cloud with purple 'lightning' flashes and Caffeine - flashing circle which slowly gets bigger until it goes out of my field of vision. As others, usually no headache but feel odd all day

Hughjass

Having suffered with various types of migraine (including the above) for over ten years and having tried elimination diets with what I thought was varying success I can confirm that I have now completely obliterated these all consuming pains by having Botox, I had it for wrinkles not for headaches but as I can no longer frown a fantastic side effect is the migraines have gone, who would of thought it:D I know this is not a solution for everyone but if it helps one other person its worth it, OP and all the other sufferers you all really do have my sympathy:grouphug:

Sagz_2

The first time I had the zigzag line was scary, very. What worried me most was that I could still see the zigzag with my eyes closed. I was exercising at the time and being fat thought my time was up! But the zigzag went after about half an hours rest and didn't return. No other symptoms at all.

I've had the zigs about 5 times now in 3 years and have learnt to just sit back and watch the show

belfastgirl23

I've had them in the past, I think too they were caused by stress and being overtired. Luckily I knew what it was because my mum has suffered from migranes and had described them to me. I was relieved to not get the pain though!

I do think that if you're getting them twice a week you really need to do something. If it's stress related then perhaps something to help with stress management. I'm also wondering if there's something in your computer screen causing a problem or something in your environment - I know flickering lights cause problems for me in other ways - could it be that? Either way I wouldn't let it lie if it was happening me twice a week and lasting a full day. Back to the GP I'd say.