Hi,
I don't know whether this is a known "problem" among us MC-people, or if it has anything to do with MC, but I occasionally have a problem with my eyes/vision. It's like what I look at is split in crystals, prisms or diamonds if you want. If I move my eyes from one object to another, the first object is still there for a split second until I manage to focus.
It can last for an hour or so, and then it disappears, and I don't drive my car as long as it lasts. I use glasses, but if I remove them, the vision is still "full of diamonds".
Has anyone of you experienced something similar?
Lilja
Diamonds in my eyes
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Diamonds in my eyes
Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in 2010
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Hi Lilja,
Yes, I have experienced that phenomenon. What you are experiencing is an optical aura known as a scintillating scotoma. A scotoma is an area of partial alteration in the field of vision. It usually consists of an area where vision is partially diminished, or entirely degenerated, surrounded by a field of normal, or relatively normal vision. A scintillating scotoma usually begins as a spot of flickering or flashing light or lights near or in the center of the visual field, which prevents vision within the scotoma area. It sometimes takes the shape of an irregular ring of flickering lights, and it slowly moves off center, or spreads outwardly, and eventually passes out of the field of vision. They usually last for a minimum of 20 or 30 minutes, and less than an hour.
For most people, this is the first phase of a classic migraine, and the pain follows after the scintillating scotoma is gone. But in some cases, the pain never occurs. When an optical aura such as a scintillating scotoma occurs, but is not followed by pain, the event is known as an acephalgic migraine.
About 4 or 5 years ago, I had a few of those, and I finally tracked it down to Monosodium glutamate (MSG) in my diet. However, it can also indicate an increased risk of a stroke, and a few months after my first scintillating scotoma, I had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). At least the ER doctors decided to call it a TIA, because they could not rule it out, even though I never lost any strength in any of my muscles. I had a second TIA about 10 months after the first. I now take clopidogrel, and blood pressure pills for stroke prevention (even though my BP was normal).
So please let your doctor know about this. Are you taking a blood thinner? Your doctor may decide that it might be a good idea to prescribe one.
Here are some past discussions about this issue:
Acephalgic Migraines - Anyone Else Ever Have Them?
A magnesium deficiency can cause migraines:
Does Anyone Here Suffer From Migraines?
I posted this after my first TIA:
Maybe This Is What Actually Happened
Tex
Yes, I have experienced that phenomenon. What you are experiencing is an optical aura known as a scintillating scotoma. A scotoma is an area of partial alteration in the field of vision. It usually consists of an area where vision is partially diminished, or entirely degenerated, surrounded by a field of normal, or relatively normal vision. A scintillating scotoma usually begins as a spot of flickering or flashing light or lights near or in the center of the visual field, which prevents vision within the scotoma area. It sometimes takes the shape of an irregular ring of flickering lights, and it slowly moves off center, or spreads outwardly, and eventually passes out of the field of vision. They usually last for a minimum of 20 or 30 minutes, and less than an hour.
For most people, this is the first phase of a classic migraine, and the pain follows after the scintillating scotoma is gone. But in some cases, the pain never occurs. When an optical aura such as a scintillating scotoma occurs, but is not followed by pain, the event is known as an acephalgic migraine.
About 4 or 5 years ago, I had a few of those, and I finally tracked it down to Monosodium glutamate (MSG) in my diet. However, it can also indicate an increased risk of a stroke, and a few months after my first scintillating scotoma, I had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). At least the ER doctors decided to call it a TIA, because they could not rule it out, even though I never lost any strength in any of my muscles. I had a second TIA about 10 months after the first. I now take clopidogrel, and blood pressure pills for stroke prevention (even though my BP was normal).
So please let your doctor know about this. Are you taking a blood thinner? Your doctor may decide that it might be a good idea to prescribe one.
Here are some past discussions about this issue:
Acephalgic Migraines - Anyone Else Ever Have Them?
A magnesium deficiency can cause migraines:
Does Anyone Here Suffer From Migraines?
I posted this after my first TIA:
Maybe This Is What Actually Happened
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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I thought they were called ocular migraines but acephalgic sounds good too.. I have had them several times, the latest one just last week. They take the shape of a jagged zig zag line of different colors in one eye only and although I don't get a full blown migraine I do get a low grade headache afterwards. I have no history of migraines and the first "ocular" migraine occurred about 8 years ago. I mentioned it to my doctor the first time it occurred and she didn't seem concerned at all so I decided not to be concerned either.
Jean
Jean
Wow, this was frightening to read. I had thought it was some kind of liquid that my body produced and that it was harmless. Thank you, Tex. I will let my dr know, however there is no pain connected to the phenomenom. I don't take any medications, except for Entocort of course. I finished my Diclocil medication yesterday.tex wrote:Hi Lilja,
Yes, I have experienced that phenomenon. What you are experiencing is an optical aura known as a scintillating scotoma. A scotoma is an area of partial alteration in the field of vision. It usually consists of an area where vision is partially diminished, or entirely degenerated, surrounded by a field of normal, or relatively normal vision. A scintillating scotoma usually begins as a spot of flickering or flashing light or lights near or in the center of the visual field, which prevents vision within the scotoma area. It sometimes takes the shape of an irregular ring of flickering lights, and it slowly moves off center, or spreads outwardly, and eventually passes out of the field of vision. They usually last for a minimum of 20 or 30 minutes, and less than an hour.
For most people, this is the first phase of a classic migraine, and the pain follows after the scintillating scotoma is gone. But in some cases, the pain never occurs. When an optical aura such as a scintillating scotoma occurs, but is not followed by pain, the event is known as an acephalgic migraine.
About 4 or 5 years ago, I had a few of those, and I finally tracked it down to Monosodium glutamate (MSG) in my diet. However, it can also indicate an increased risk of a stroke, and a few months after my first scintillating scotoma, I had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). At least the ER doctors decided to call it a TIA, because they could not rule it out, even though I never lost any strength in any of my muscles. I had a second TIA about 10 months after the first. I now take clopidogrel, and blood pressure pills for stroke prevention (even though my BP was normal).
So please let your doctor know about this. Are you taking a blood thinner? Your doctor may decide that it might be a good idea to prescribe one.
Here are some past discussions about this issue:
Acephalgic Migraines - Anyone Else Ever Have Them?
A magnesium deficiency can cause migraines:
Does Anyone Here Suffer From Migraines?
I posted this after my first TIA:
Maybe This Is What Actually Happened
Tex
Lilja
Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in 2010
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
I used to get ocular migraines occasionally, and they often seemed to be induced by glare from sunlight or the computer screen. I went to my eye doc and he said not to worry too much--that they usually last 30-40 minutes, followed by extreme eye fatigue/low grade headache. He told me if I could close either eye and still see it, I would know it was an ocular migraine. But if I could only see it with one or the other eye, then it could be a detached retina or something else more serious.
Interestingly, I have not had one since my MC diagnosis/retirement from teaching.
Interestingly, I have not had one since my MC diagnosis/retirement from teaching.
Suze
Lilja,
If it is just an acephalgic migraine event, then it is nothing to worry about. And Jean is quite correct — they are also called ocular migraines. They are also referred to as silent migraines.
The problem is that this type of event can also be associated with a TIA or even a stroke. If you didn't have any TIA-like symptoms afterward (I had an apparent TIA a few months later), then it is probably just a harmless ocular event. It's a good idea to mention it to your physician, but she or he will probably tell you that there is nothing to worry about as long as you don't have any other symptoms.
When I had the TIAs, I had one-sided numbness in my face and arm. Since it did not involve hemiparesis (one-sided weakness), I still question the TIA diagnosis, but when it comes to stroke risk, I would rather be overcautious than sorry, so I continue to take a blood thinner and a BP med.
Tex
If it is just an acephalgic migraine event, then it is nothing to worry about. And Jean is quite correct — they are also called ocular migraines. They are also referred to as silent migraines.
The problem is that this type of event can also be associated with a TIA or even a stroke. If you didn't have any TIA-like symptoms afterward (I had an apparent TIA a few months later), then it is probably just a harmless ocular event. It's a good idea to mention it to your physician, but she or he will probably tell you that there is nothing to worry about as long as you don't have any other symptoms.
When I had the TIAs, I had one-sided numbness in my face and arm. Since it did not involve hemiparesis (one-sided weakness), I still question the TIA diagnosis, but when it comes to stroke risk, I would rather be overcautious than sorry, so I continue to take a blood thinner and a BP med.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I also get ocular migraines and I've noticed that mine seem to correlate with sinus pressure. I take Tylenol, and a Sudafed if I feel I need one, and wait it out. It usually spreads across one eye and is gone in 30 minutes.
Carol
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
