Husband gets sharp pains in head.

My husband gets very sharp pains in his head. They're mostly behind his eye or around the temple. They last anywhere from 5 seconds to 20 seconds. They don't generally happen everyday. He ocassionally goes blind in his right eye, too. The blindness doesn't last very long either. When he was in Iraq a few years ago they ran over an IED and he banged his head pretty hard. That's about when the sharp pains started. He won't go see a doctor about it so I was hoping to possibly get an idea of what it might be. Any suggestions ??

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
What your husband probably has is visual aura of the actual migraines. The ocular symptoms can precede or accompany a migraine.
The other possibility is a retinal migraine. This can cause repeated episodes diminished vision or blindness. This may precede or accompany a headache.
There are many medications available, both to decrease the visual symptoms and to decrease the intensity and frequency of pain. These headaches should be treated by an experienced neurologist. You may also need to consult an eye specialist.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[caregiver222]

Contrary to popular belief the Veteran's Administration's Hospital system is the place to go for an evaluation.

They also employ opthamological neurologists.

As Drnee stated there are several medications that are available.

I urgue you to convince him to head for the VA.

[t_toria]

I have begged and pleaded for him to go and he's being stubborn. He would rather go blind than lose his career in the military. I'll keep pushing and I'll keep you all posted. Thank you for the info !