So I had an visual migraine and it was really weird.

[SofNascimento]

Yesterday at night everything was just as usual, when suddenly I started to notice this weird colorful disruption at the lower part of the computer screen. At first I thought my eyes were just adjusting to some new screen or light but it wasn't going away. As I started to look around I noticed it had nothing to do with the screen and was just something that was there no matter where I looked. It was this weird ball shape blurr surrounded by very bright and changing colors. It was on the lower right of my vision of vision, not quite at the center but easily enough to notice that I could make no mistake it was there.

Further investigation told me not only it was in both eyes, but it was still there even if I closed them both. This whole thing might have taken some 15 minutes, than I decided to google: "weird color edge vision" and the very first result was thsi one: "PSYCHEDELIC, SURREAL, MULTI-COLOURED SHAPES IN MY VISION!". It was quite an accurate description. It was like there was a lot of small pieces of glass on my left side constantly moving and zigzagging. If I wans't convinced I surely must either be having a stroke or a brain turmor and would be dead in 3 months, I might even have quite enjoyed it.

It changed ships a bit and there was an additional blurry spot on the center of my vision at one time. It was something like this, but constantly shifting.

Anyway After some 40 minutes or so it was gone. Just like that. As I understand it's nothing to worry about too much. I'm be going to an eye doctor just in case but wished to share this here to see who else had the dubious pleasure of an ocular/visual migrane.

 

[SofNascimento]

"a" visual migraine. Goddamn english.

 

[Greigor the FellHand]

"a" visual migraine. Goddamn english.

Click to shrink...

See an optimologist to make sure your retina did not detach

 

[SweetBellic]

My supervisor gets these. Says it can be incredibly distracting and scary when behind the wheel. Also described them as kind of colorful and psychadelic.

And here I thought he was full of shit. Very weird.

 

[SofNascimento]

See an optimologist to make sure your retina did not detach

Click to shrink...

I will. Although 24 hours after the incident everything is normal.

 

[Gareth]

Had one of those last year, it was scary and really trippy looking. Glad it went away pretty quickly!

 

[TheMan]

I get them a lot. I also have a ton of floaters and occasionally I'll weird spark kind of draw a line across my vision. If you're getting them for the first time I'd recommend seeing a doctor.

Oh btw the spot itself is called a scintillating scotoma.

 

[Red Arremer]

I have those on the regular tied to my chronic migraine and yeah, they can be really distracting and obnoxious to deal with. They usually precede the headache part of my migraines if it comes down fast, but I've also had them when I had issues with circulation/blood pressure.

Have you been hydrating well, OP? With the heat, more than ever, it's important!

 

[Xzan]

I've been getting these periodically since my teens, so 30-odd years.

I've never been to the doctor about it but my best Google diagnosis is Retinal or Acephalgic Migraine.

 

[QuinchoOsito]

Sorry to hear that, this has been happening to me for 10+ years around every month. Sucks when I'm trying to work or something but oh well it always goes away after like 45 minutes. If it does keep happening you'll get used to it, it's annoying each time but it's just one of those things I guess.

 

[PoppaBK]

Yesterday at night everything was just as usual, when suddenly I started to notice this weird colorful disruption at the lower part of the computer screen. At first I thought my eyes were just adjusting to some new screen or light but it wasn't going away. As I started to look around I noticed it had nothing to do with the screen and was just something that was there no matter where I looked. It was this weird ball shape blurr surrounded by very bright and changing colors. It was on the lower right of my vision of vision, not quite at the center but easily enough to notice that I could make no mistake it was there.

Further investigation told me not only it was in both eyes, but it was still there even if I closed them both. This whole thing might have taken some 15 minutes, than I decided to google: "weird color edge vision" and the very first result was thsi one: "PSYCHEDELIC, SURREAL, MULTI-COLOURED SHAPES IN MY VISION!". It was quite an accurate description. It was like there was a lot of small pieces of glass on my left side constantly moving and zigzagging. If I wans't convinced I surely must either be having a stroke or a brain turmor and would be dead in 3 months, I might even have quite enjoyed it.

It changed ships a bit and there was an additional blurry spot on the center of my vision at one time. It was something like this, but constantly shifting.

Anyway After some 40 minutes or so it was gone. Just like that. As I understand it's nothing to worry about too much. I'm be going to an eye doctor just in case but wished to share this here to see who else had the dubious pleasure of an ocular/visual migrane.

Click to shrink...

Those are the only migraines I get, and they suck. I have to lay down in the dark for an hour or so to get rid of them. Glad I don't get the headache part afterwards though.

 

[Fantastical]

That's a good representation of what I see too. It's suddenly very scary when you don't take your vision for granted.

 

[hurroocane]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(symptom)

Had it twice in my life. It was a really weird experience.

 

[SofNascimento]

My supervisor gets these. Says it can be incredibly distracting and scary when behind the wheel. Also described them as kind of colorful and psychadelic.

And here I thought he was full of shit. Very weird.

Click to shrink...

It's definitely a real thing. As much as you believe in reality that is. I'm quite a wuss in the driver seat so I would be definitely try to stop the car as soon as possible.

I get them a lot. I also have a ton of floaters and occasionally I'll weird spark kind of draw a line across my vision. If you're getting them for the first time I'd recommend seeing a doctor.

Oh btw the spot itself is called a scintillating scotoma.

Click to shrink...

Yep, that's it.

I have those on the regular tied to my chronic migraine and yeah, they can be really distracting and obnoxious to deal with. They usually precede the headache part of my migraines if it comes down fast, but I've also had them when I had issues with circulation/blood pressure.

Have you been hydrating well, OP? With the heat, more than ever, it's important!

Click to shrink...

I'm the south so not heat (at least not much of it), it's definitely not cold either. Anyway, I was thinking about what might have caused it and come up with nothing. It was quite an ordinary day.

Sorry to hear that, this has been happening to me for 10+ years around every month. Sucks when I'm trying to work or something but oh well it always goes away after like 45 minutes. If it does keep happening you'll get used to it, it's annoying each time but it's just one of those things I guess.

Click to shrink...

The main problem for me is that I didn't know what the hell was happening. When I closed my eyes and the stuff that still there I just concluded that it was in my brain and that I was screwed.

 

[IAMtheFMan]

I will. Although 24 hours after the incident everything is normal.

Click to shrink...

Classic scinitillating scotoma. Typically an aura or warning sign of an impending migraine (though is migrainous activity itself) but it can be seen without the headache/migraine issue (also called acephalgic migraine).

From your description, this is not retinal detachment. Those may have light flashes, but typically have more negative phenomena (loss of vision, "curtain" being pulled over the eye, peripheral vision loss and essentially progressive blindness) as opposed to the scotomas which have more of the positive phenomena of "wavy lines, moving across your visual field."

Stay hydrated, sleep well. Take some ibuprofen/naproxen or Tylenol or if you're not caffeine averse, drink some coffee/take excedrin, especially if these progress to migraines.

/neurologist

 

[QuinchoOsito]

The main problem for me is that I didn't know what the hell was happening. When I closed my eyes and the stuff that still there I just concluded that it was in my brain and that I was screwed.

Click to shrink...

Oh I don't blame you, the first time for me I thought I'd just looked at a lamp too long or something and definitely freaked out when it didn't go away. It worried me a lot the first few times actually but it made me feel better when I eventually looked it up and realized it was a known thing and that I wasn't going blind or something.

 

[JAGMASK]

Yeah I've had these since I was about 14. They've eased off in adulthood though. The way I described them to people was the cloaking visual effect from Predator in the corner of my vision. Did you throw up afterwards? That's always how my migraines ended.

If you have the symptoms again I'd recommend getting some preventative migraine tablets. The moment I saw the visual distortion, I would take them and only end up with a slight head ache and minor nausea. They would stop the migraine from lasting for days as well.

 

[SofNascimento]

Classic scinitillating scotoma. Typically an aura or warning sign of an impending migraine (though is migrainous activity itself) but it can be seen without the headache/migraine issue (also called acephalgic migraine).

From your description, this is not retinal detachment. Those may have light flashes, but typically have more negative phenomena (loss of vision, "curtain" being pulled over the eye, peripheral vision loss and essentially progressive blindness) as opposed to the scotomas which have more of the positive phenomena of "wavy lines, moving across your visual field."

Stay hydrated, sleep well. Take some ibuprofen/naproxen or Tylenol or if you're not caffeine averse, drink some coffee/take excedrin, especially if these progress to migraines.

/neurologist

Click to shrink...

Luckily I didn't have any further problem. It happened late at night and I went to sleep soon after. Just as soon as I new for sure it was gone and I felt confident that I would either die on my sleep or wake up blind. I did wake up with a suggestion of headache but it was gone soon.

 

[IAMtheFMan]

Luckily I didn't have any further problem. It happened late at night and I went to sleep soon after. Just as soon as I new for sure it was gone and I felt confident that I would either die on my sleep or wake up blind. I did wake up with a suggestion of headache but it was gone soon.

Click to shrink...

That's good. Obviously try to avoid caffeine if these happen late at night and maybe go ibuprofen/naproxen solo.

If that's not knocking it out, see a PCP for like a sumatriptan script or something.

 

[SofNascimento]

Yeah I've had these since I was about 14. They've eased off in adulthood though. The way I described them to people was the cloaking visual effect from Predator in the corner of my vision. Did you throw up afterwards? That's always how my migraines ended.

Click to shrink...

Hah that a good analogy, only very colorful for me. It was like the a prims-diffused light under moving water.

It's quite weird to know that other people had this. In a way it feels very intimate because it's something you see.

 

[Red Arremer]

I can only echo Fman's suggestions (but I am not a neurologist, I just went to see one).

As said, it might have been your circulation or blood pressure being a bit iffy at that moment, so I would definitely recommend taking your blood pressure for a few days if you have a measuring device, see if there's any anomalies. Otherwise, keep some Ibuprofen handy and if it happens during the day, caffeine helps, as does a good nap. If it happens more frequently or the migraines get worse, definitely see a neurologist.

 

[vatstep]

I get these every time I have a migraine. About half of the time I just experience the aura but the pain never actually ends up happening, but I always anticipate it.

I was in my early 20s the first time it happened and it scared the crap out of me.

 

[Red]

I got these once a month or so through my 20s. Had to leave work a few times because I couldn't see enough to do my job.

 

[Fubar]

I get these once or twice a year on average. Usually after not drinking enough water for a day or two and/or wearing tight pants and sitting too long.

As soon as I notice the lines, I immediately go and pound back as much water as I possibly can, almost to the point of puking, and lay down. If I am quick enough, it's gone within 5-10 minutes. It has taken up to a few hours before though.

A precursor to this for me is the loss of peripheral vision. If I all of a sudden realize my vision has become a bit tunneled, I know one of these are coming.

 

[Sasha]

I recently had this for the first time and I would describe it as some kind of "diamond sparkle" in your vision.
Was a bit scary because I didn't know what the hell was going on but thankfully it didn't last very long.

 

[Deleted member 13798]

I get these when I don't hydrate, too much caffeine, too much stress, sedentary too long , or especially with too much time looking at screens. Freaky but it's only happened about 4 or 5 times for me

 

[Lakeside]

My son used to get those when he was 5 or so. It was crazy because he was talking about all the floating colors. The doctor nailed it though, which was awesome.

 

[Maple]

I get them a lot. I also have a ton of floaters and occasionally I'll weird spark kind of draw a line across my vision.

Click to shrink...

I've had all of this for most of my life as well. Woke up one morning when I was like 12 and noticed floaters in both eyes.

 

[Demacabre]

Sof, I get these too. There is a prescribed pill you can take on the onset of it and it lessen the duration and prevents (or lessens) an overwhelming headache that many times happens afterwards.

Discuss this with your doctor so you can get the pill to help out if it happens again.

 

[Keikaku]

I get these between every few years. Half an hour later the most intense pain kicks in and feels like you have hot needles being pushed in to your eyes. Only sleeping helps, painkillers do nothing.

 

[DrEvil]

My migraines are horrible, I get them when the barometric pressure has wild swings (usually spring/fall when it goes hot to cold to hot again real quick).


My migraines usually always consist of the following events:

1) My vision becomes filled with starbursts (similar to the OP's 'visual migraine') that make it seem like I can see through things. Think: Spot-blindness.

2) Either my left or right hand will go numb / tingly. If my left hand goes numb, about 20 minutes later, my opposite leg will go numb, so in this case, it'd be my right leg.

3) The numbness in my hand and leg will go away, and my tongue will start to tingle like coming out from freezing at the dentist. This is usually the last step before the worst happens...

4) I lose the ability to properly speak and form sentences, and while I can talk, I speak about what I'm visualizing in my mind. For instance, when someone called the house, I was asked who it was, I responded with "the man with the hand". When pressed for further info, I said "The man with the phone in his hand" -- because in my mind I was picturing someone holding a phone to his head.

After this point, If I hadn't made my way to bed, I pretty much need to lay down and pass out, as I'll get chills if I don't.

My migraines are BRUTAL and Thankfully I don't get them as often as an adult any more, they were the worst in my teens/early 20s.


Because of this thread, it was the first time I saw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(symptom) - and man, my list checks out:

• Kaleidoscope effects on visual field
• Temporary blindness in one or both eyes[6][7]
• Heightened sensitivity to light
  • Bright lights and blobs
  • Zigzag lines
• Blind or dark spots in the field of vision
• Numbness or tingling sensation (Paresthesia)[7]
• Weakness on one side of the body (Hemiparesis)[7]
• Feeling of overheating and sudden perspiration
• Inability to speak (Aphasia) or slurred speech
• Confusion; forgetting how to do common tasks or comprehend spoken words

 

[SofNascimento]

My migraines are horrible, I get them when the barometric pressure has wild swings (usually spring/fall when it goes hot to cold to hot again real quick).


My migraines usually always consist of the following events:

1) My vision becomes filled with starbursts (similar to the OP's 'visual migraine') that make it seem like I can see through things. Think: Spot-blindness.

2) Either my left or right hand will go numb / tingly. If my left hand goes numb, about 20 minutes later, my opposite leg will go numb, so in this case, it'd be my right leg.

3) The numbness in my hand and leg will go away, and my tongue will start to tingle like coming out from freezing at the dentist. This is usually the last step before the worst happens...

4) I lose the ability to properly speak and form sentences, and while I can talk, I speak about what I'm visualizing in my mind. For instance, when someone called the house, I was asked who it was, I responded with "the man with the hand". When pressed for further info, I said "The man with the phone in his hand" -- because in my mind I was picturing someone holding a phone to his head.

After this point, If I hadn't made my way to bed, I pretty much need to lay down and pass out, as I'll get chills if I don't.

My migraines are BRUTAL and Thankfully I don't get them as often as an adult any more, they were the worst in my teens/early 20s.


Because of this thread, it was the first time I saw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(symptom) - and man, my list checks out:

• Kaleidoscope effects on visual field
• Temporary blindness in one or both eyes[6][7]
• Heightened sensitivity to light
  • Bright lights and blobs
  • Zigzag lines
• Blind or dark spots in the field of vision
• Numbness or tingling sensation (Paresthesia)[7]
• Weakness on one side of the body (Hemiparesis)[7]
• Feeling of overheating and sudden perspiration
• Inability to speak (Aphasia) or slurred speech
• Confusion; forgetting how to do common tasks or comprehend spoken words

Click to shrink...

Wow. Did you have to do any treatment or they got less frequent by themselves?

 

[DrEvil]

Wow. Did you have to do any treatment or they got less frequent by themselves?

Click to shrink...

Less frequent on their own, I really only get them now maybe once or twice a year if I'm lucky or if the weather doesn't do mad swings.

Last fall was pretty bad though, had about 4 of them.

 

[Bigwombat]

I have an ex girlfriend who did acid several times and she would occasionally get colorful shapes and prisms in her vision. She never said that it was related to migraines but that's what I thought of reading your description. What others have suggested sounds more plausible for you.

 

[Citizencope]

I get these about once a year. Once I see that "thing" I know a tremendous headache and nausea are on the way for a couple of hours. Completely debilitating.

 

[ignata]

I get these about once every three years. They come with no pain and I usually just sit in a dark room for about 10 minutes til it goes away, but those are 10 really frightening minutes because, as others said, it is also very similar to what you see when you retinas are detaching, of which I'm a prime candidate for and have been my entire life. So even if you haven't had any previous issues, you should go get your retinas checked.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

I get these sometimes, but it's never a blast of color like that. It's a bunch of (actually pretty beautiful) silver star things that sparkle in front of me for a minute or two. It would be interesting if my head didn't also hurt along with it.

 

[deimosmasque]

The aura for my migraines is black and blue blotches on my peripheral vision. Lasts for about an hour before the pain starts.

Haven't had one in about 10 years though fortunately.

 

[cheeseholidays]

I get that sometimes after too much caffeine, never get pain though oddly.

 

[Demacabre]

My doctor prescribed me Sumatriptan . Totally check with your general medical practioner to see if it is an option.

The kaledoscope vision hits, I take it and it lessens the severity of the headache to come.

 

[sapien85]

I go through periods where they happen every few days then periods where none happen for months like now. I have no idea what effects the frequency.

 

[Rune Walsh]

I had a visual migraine once where I witnessed a black and white pinwheel effect in my left eye. My ophthalmologist said if it doesn't happen again, it's nothing to worry about. Seven years later, it hasn't happened again. Instead, I now get vomit-inducing regular migraines without any cool visual effects.

 

[Aztechnology]

I've also only had one once, and exactly how you describe. I kept expecting a splitting headache go start, I had to lie down, started freaking out. But it never came. Doc said it's pretty common That was years ago.

 

[DHR54]

I found that I can pound back a ton of water and I hastens the retreat of these Halos or auras. That's all I know.

 

[Joe]

I used to get these all the time and they really fucked me up. They were followed by real migraines about 30% of the time. Especially when I was in college, living in the dorms. Haven't had one since. Maybe it's environmental. 🤷

 

[SinOfHeart]

I get these types of migraines with warning signs (although I don't get them very often compared to when I was younger). Mine are usually like the effect of looking into a camera flash and seeing things strobe for a bit, except only part of my vision would have the strobe effect and it doesn't go away for 30+ minutes. I don't get them as much and I found that if it was possible just not focusing on the flashing part tended to help make the actual headache that followed less intense. There was one that I had where I lost all my color vision for like 30-40 minutes, that one was scary (and I'm glad that only ever happened once, the headache that followed was awful).