Vision disturbance after exercise

Twice now after strenuous exercise I have been experiencing transient vision disturbances.  About an hour or so after intense exercise I have a gradual onset of painless vision disturbance that effects one side of my peripheral vision in both eyes -- I would describe the disturbance as an irregularly shaped area of bright distortion and shine, and it moves when I move my eyes; the symptoms are similar to that experienced when you get a bright light or the sun shined in your eyes and have that temporary shine and loss of definition as your eyes recover.  This area is visible when I close my eyes too during the episode.  The symptoms peak in about an hour after onset and then gradually goes away.  There is no headache or nausea or dizziness or other neurological symptoms associated with these episodes, exept for perhaps a very mild headache.  Otherwise my eyes and health are basically normal as far as I know.  This doesn't happen after every time I exercise, so far once a year.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

These symptoms are most suggestive of a visual migraine or even a classic migraine but the hour long duration is a little unusual, though, so I would make sure that other possible causes like hypotension, transient ischemic attack are at least considered.  See an ophthalmologist first and then he or she can possibly make a neurology or other referral as needed.

Michael Kutryb, MD