If the zig zags last 5-30 minutes or more then you may be having eye migraines, or classic migraines.
You need to see an eye MD ophthalmologist physician. Find one near you at www.aao.org
Use the search feature and read about eye migraines and TIAs.
JCH MD
hi i live in the bush so its hard to get anywhere if these are migranes would these occur every day?
thank you for your time
Yes, lovely country the Australian outback. Yes migraines (with or without headache) can occure everyday, espcially if you are a young female on birthcontrol pills. Atypical serious disorder is another cause. Maybe there is an ophthalmlologist or neurologist in Alice? Maybe the flying doctors have one that flies in?
JHaganMD
thank you very much can you tell me exactly how visual migranes appear?
Go to Google IMAGES type in ophthalmic migraine. It will bring up the many many forms of visual images that eye migraines can cause. There are many forms but typical are "zig-zags, pulsating lights, 'like looking through heat waves/water fall", 'like looking at a light bulb then looking away', part of the field of vision is missing, spinning or twirling like a ceiling fan" these are typical descriptions. A picture is worth a 1000 words to Google image it.
JCH MD
Dear Dr Hagan,
In the evening sometimes a relative of mine sees flickering lights in both eyes in the peripheral vision. They worry her, she also sees floaters during the day (sometimes). What may be the cause of these disturbances? Thank you very much
There are a variety of causes with the most common being vitreous traction. She needs to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist to be sure its not anything serious. Find one near here at www.aao.org
JCH MD