Vision Disturbances: "Aura" Without Headache?

MT62: Thanks, for your reply. I hope that your husband does not suffer too much when those happen. Thanks.

My husband gets these zig-zag lines a few times a year. The optician said it was a migraine without the headache.

Suki70: Thank you for your reply. I think you're another of the heroes because you had, last week, one every day for FIVE days. As for "...enjoy the pretty lights", I like your optician and I don' like any medical anybodies! Thanks!

I wouldn’t worry too much about your symptoms, but would advise that you get them checked out with your GP just in case. I get painless migraines every six months or so and, oddly, so does my husband. We’re both triggered by bright/flashing lights, and too much caffeine can spark mine off. Our respective opticians have diagnosed them as ocular migraines and say they’re quite common and nothing to worry about. My dancing light displays last around 20 minutes, and I always feel wiped out for an hour or so afterwards, then I’m back to normal. Sometimes I can stave off an episode if I notice the lights start to circle, by just sitting back quietly with my eyes closed for a few minutes.

I had a full check up over a whole morning at the stroke clinic last year when I had some numbness in my hand during an ocular migraine and reported this to my GP. I passed all the many tests and was told that if it had been a TIA my whole arm would have been affected - some tingling in the hand can just be a migraine symptom. Hope this helps.

I’ve had these migraines with aura for the last 30 years, since I was in my mid 50’s. They can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep and bright light - I’ve learnt not to look at bright lights and to wear tinted glasses whenever it’s sunny. They start with a flickering in my right eye, which develops into yellow zigzag lines which grow larger and then start in my left eye too. They last about 20 minutes. Sometimes a mild headache follows , sometimes a more severe one but on GP’s advice I take paracetamol as soon as it appears. Occasionally there will be a cluster of them - last week I had one every day for five days. An optician told me to enjoy the pretty lights. They’re annoying and I’m left feeling tired but they no longer worry me.

I’ve had these since I was a young teenager and I’m now 72. I just lie down with my eyes covered to block out the light and it passes with 30 minutes usually. Sometimes it develops into a full on migraine with headache, nausea, occasional numbness down one arm and difficulty finding my words. Mostly it’s just the zig zag visual disturbance and feeling a bit off colour. Nothing to worry about just unpleasant. I get mild attacks about once a month on average.

ElliAnne: Many thanks to you for your reply. You just carry on doing whatever you're doing...you're a brave Lady! Thanks, for that.

Arlme: Thank you, for your replly. I'll be 70 later this year. It's good that yours usually go after about 30 minutes. I am grateful to you for your reply. These replies are starting to get through to me and that's no easy task.

I get these, fairly regularly as I get older. Im 70. No pain, I take an ibuprofen and they go away after about 30 minutes. Optician is adamant there is nothing wrong with my eyes. No specific trigger but it can come on after long time on IPad.

I get these regularly. I see coloured zigzags jumping around and can’t read because the letters jump around or are missing. No headaches and only lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Optician says it has nothing to do with eyes. They don’t bother me unless I am driving. I just carry on doing whatever I’m doing.

Maremia: "Jazz eyes"? What is a sudden ninja beam of reflecting light? Thanks.

We call them 'jazz eyes' and seem to be caused by a sudden ninja beam of reflecting light.
Stay quiet for around 45 minutes, until it wears off.

*SueDonim:" Thank you for your reply, and thank you for the link to the Migraine Trust. I am most grateful for those.

I sometimes get aura with headache migraine and I know people who have the aura but no headache. The Migraine Trust has a lot of information that you might find helpful.

migrainetrust.org/

Petra: You've had 3 just this week? You're a hero!!!

Petra: Thanks, for that. "Silent Migraines". I'll remember the name. Anybody else?

Esmay...you're an angel!

Those are magic words, right there, as, "Now, I don't worry any more. I hope that this helps. You aren't alone." That's really good of you and I thank you.

Thanks, for that, LoopyLoo! You've had them most of your life? My mother used to get them. My sister still gets them. Anybody else?

I had something similar about a decade ago.
I'd been drinking wine and took some painkillers and I attributed the "attack " to the ill - advised combination.

Since then,I occasionally have strange visual disturbances.
Mine look like circular zig zag patterns .
They oscillate.
I take paracetamol with codeine with a hot sweet drink .
I close my eyes.
After about ten minutes the circles have disappeared.
Sometimes,I get a headache and sometimes a more painful ocular headache.
I can have a headache without any visual disturbances.

My last attack started with the circles and proceeded into a full blown migraine with nausea.
They come on without any warning and when they do my visual field is so disturbed that I can't do anything safely.
I'd have to ask someone to help me if necessary.
I was really frightened at first.
Now I don't worry anymore.
I hope that this helps.
You aren't alone.

I’ve had them for years. This week, 3 times. Then I can go for months without one.
My optician calls them silent migraines.
I find the fascinating. Mine don’t last long, 15 mins?

Yes I've had these mist of my life.
Triggered by low blood sugar,bright light and stress.
But since I've been on blood pressure tablets having had any attacks .
Have a sugary drink and put your feet up and rest.
But tell your GP

Thank, for that, Aely. Anybody else?

You could mention it to your Opticion when you next go for a sight test.

I have on occasions had visual disturbances similar to your description. I have also had full blown migraines (although rarely) where I have sat back and "watched the display". It took my mind off the pain a bit!

With the former, I usually take a vitamin supplement containing B complex as a precaution. I have had eye problems (including optical neuritis) in the past which can be caused by a deficiency. Although my diet is much better than it used to be (no kids to feed on a limited income these days!), it is not always as good as it should be, so the occasional supplement does no harm, I am sure, especially if something weird starts happening. Vit B is required for healthy neurological function - and not everybody likes Marmite.