Re: Kaliedoscope vision

Posted By WP Martin on April 25, 1999 at 15:34:23
My fiance has an intermitent problem. Here eyes will go blurry (she says kind of like a kaliedoscope) for a short time then she will get a headache. It is not something that happens every day or even every week but I am concerned about this does this sound familiar to anyone?
Thanks
She is stubborn and does not want to go to an eye doctor. Maybe if I can get some info on it she will.

[HFHS M.D.-NI]

Posted By HFHS MD - NI on April 25, 1999 at 16:21:40
It is difficult to say for sure what your fiance has without examining her; however, her symptoms sound like those of a migrane (migraine) headache.  Migranes (migraines) come in many different forms.  It is common for people to note streaking lights or kaliedoscope like phenomenon.  After this, they develop headaches which are usually worse on one side of the head.  It is possible to have headaches without the visual symptoms or only have the visual symptoms without the headaches (ophthalmic migrane (migraine)).
I would advise that she have a full eye exam by an ophthalmologist to make sure there is nothing else going on.  
This information is provided for educational purposes only.  Please see your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - NI

[M-Ingles]

Posted By M. Ingles on May 08, 1999 at 21:49:01
I am registered nurse who has experienced the "kaliedescope" type symptoms.  I do get an excruciating headache afterwards.  However, these episodes are few and far between.  Recently, a coworker described a year's worth of eye symptoms of what she describes as "sponge-painting like blurring of in front of her eye" which lasts for 5-10 minutes. One particularly concerning episode was with total loss of vision in 1 eye for a few minutes.  She has been worked up with CT scans, carotid dopper evaluation, ophthalmologic evaluation, and neurology evaluation.  Her CT scan was normal, as was her doppler.  The ophthalmologist told her she has "ocular headaches" but the neurologist ruled these out because she experiences no pain with these episodes.  On reading your article, I noted that you refer to these "migraines" as possibly occuring without pain.  Can you give me any further information on this subject?  










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