Zigzags in front of eyes

I have migraine and get flickering zig zags which is called an aura , I don`t get a headache after either. My migraine headaches start slowly , build up to intense with nausea and can last a couple of days. I think what you have had is a migraine aura but its worth seeing the GP if it happens again x

Yes, I've had these too, just four or five times, and my trigger is bright light. My optician called them ocular migraine, though I much prefer shysal's Scintillating Scotoma, which sounds like a spectacularly louche cool jazz combo.

Teetime, I am interested to read in your post that it can be connected to labyrinthitis, as I am a fellow sufferer.

Ellie Anne, I have this, and have been assured that it is nothing to worry about. The medical term is Scintillating Scotoma. I find driving or walking into the sun can bring it on, also looking at the computer screen for any length of time. It starts in the centre of view and gradually widens in a circle towards the periphery then disappears, taking about 20 minutes. I have never had a headache afterwards. The episodes have increased recently to a few times a week, but I am trying to ignore them where possible. I hope this reassures you, it is alarming the first time it happens.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma

Yes I used to get this a lot it started after a particularly bad bout of labyrinthitis and I read that it can be connected. Its seems to have lessened of in recent months. I've told my GP and consultant about it and neither are bothered.

I'm glad you are going to see your optician, Ellie Anne. Our eyes are precious. He/she will be able to advise if you need to see your GP.

Lots of info about migraine here. www.migraine.org.uk

My friend was talking about this the other day. She said she gets visual disturbance with what looks like lightning but no other symptoms. She said she had been told that it was a form of migraine. I was a bit sceptical because I used to get migraine (touch wood, not so often now) and it is horrendously painful.

So, having read this thread, I see that I was wrong - you can just get the visual disturbance.

Both times were caused by going from the dimness inside the house into bright sunlight.

Yes, had this twice, saw the GP and she said nothing to worry about, they are called silent migraines.They don't last long, and best to sit quietly with eyes closed.

Yes EllieAnne I have had it. Mine start with a small saw blade zig zag and gradually get bigger and bigger until they fill my whole line of vision. No headache as such just a feeling of being a bit woozy and dizzy. I see them whether my eyes are open or closed. I find that they come more often if I have seen a bright light or accidentally looked at the sun or a light fitting. I already see a Neurologist for another health problem and have had two MRI's recently so I know mine is classical migraine usually brought on by a stressful episode. If it is the first time you have suffered such an episode best get it checked out by your GP though. It's really horrible, you have my absolute sympathy.

AuntieFlo I had exactly the same experience as you the first time I had this. I was looking at a child who appeared to have a black hole in her face, then the yellow zigzags came. I mentioned it to someone in the staff room who happened to also have migraine and she explained what it was, otherwise I would have been very alarmed.

I get these occasionally and as others have said it's an optical migraine. GP said nothing to worry about.

Def see your GP but sounds like the zigzag lines I get with migraine.

I also get this at odd times. I didn't realise it was reasonably common, just wish I had been a GN member years ago when it started, and then I may have learned about it. I was working when it first happened, and had a ' hole' in my vision as well as the halo of lights. As I didn't have headaches, it took a while to realise it was a migraine. I do find a lie down helps it go faster.

Thank you all. I will make appointment with optician just to be safe.

Yes I get this. I've had it three times since yesterday morning. I don't always get much of a headache

I have had both migraine aura and a torn retina - the former does not require immediate treatment, the latter does - hence my suggestion that you should visit the GP.

It sounds like migraine aura, which may or may not be superseded by the headache etc.

If it's a new symptom for you, then do see a doctor, just to be on the safe side.

I've had these quite frequently for about twelve years, starting in one eye, then moving to the other, sometimes with no after effects, other times followed by a headache and nausea. The first time, I went to my GP who sent me straight away to an optician. She said it was'classic migraine' and told me to just "enjoy the pretty lights"! I've realised it's triggered by tiredness and bright light, so wear sunglasses when it's sunny. Best to discuss it with your GP.

I get zig zag disturbance migraines sometimes. There's no headache but they last up to half an hour, sometimes developing a black hole in my vision. Bright light is my trigger. My last migraine was caused by driving past a stationary ambulance! These are nothing to be concerned about.
But last year I had zig zags that stayed, in fact they've only just stopped. Then I got a black feathery floater in one eye. Specsavers did an eye test which I had to pay for as I'd only just had my regular free test. They referred me to the hospital where I was seen three days later.
The diagnosis is vitreous separation and my sight is almost back to how it was.
So see your gp or optician if you're worried.

It could be damage / tear to the retina. 90% of the time this will repair itself, but sometimes it need an operation. Get it checked out.

Almost definitely migraine. I had it a lot, and headaches and nausia would follow, but I remember my dad had the zigzags without any other symptoms over a number of years.

Agree. But you still need to see GP to exclude other things.

My OH has this a couple of times a year.

It sounds like migraine. My DD has suffered terribly with this since she was a child. See your GP is the best advice.