Question about eye symptom

Hi everyone,
I just read something on the Dr. Neuro forum that someone described, and it is exactly what I experience with my eyes.  Now, for me, this is not a new thing, I've had it on and off since I was a kid/teenager.  I've cut and pasted the mention here (there was not a response to this yet so I figured I'd get a better idea of what it was quicker with our forum):
       **The peripheral (spelling?) vision in my right eye was blinded by white flashing light that was still visible when I closed it. When reading, the last letters of a word were cut off. Vision returned to normal in about 1/2 hour.

I'd love to know what it is.  Since I've had it for so long, I didn't think it was related to MS, but thought it was worth a post.
SL

[Quixotic1]

Sound like an ocular migraine.  That is you have the eye/vision abnormalities that often precede the headache, but then there is no headache.  Other than the fact that migraine illness is more common in MSers, it doen't really sound like an MS symptom.  Is there migraine in your family history or yours? Quix

[sllowe]

Hi Quix,
I've had a lot of migraines as an adult and typical headaches as well, but not so much as a teenager that I can recall. I do remember years back an eye Dr. telling me that it was related to tired muscles in the eyes. That was such a long time ago.  In my family, I'm unsure, but my immediate family hasn't complained of them.  It's really a weird thing as described above, I've never heard anyone describe them before.  It's not just words that are cut off (although that is what stands out most), it's whatever you are looking at - at the time.  It's as if you have to keep turning your head to see the whole of your field of vision or what you are looking at.  I've been successful of getting rid of them by closing my eyes (like the post says, you can still see the flashing, and I have like squiggles in mine, when they are closed) for about 30 minutes and then it goes away.  Thankfully, they are just occasional. The worse thing is when one comes on, it's not always a situation where you can just go close your eyes, making seeing clearly difficult. Do you feel this is something to mention to the Neuro? Thank you much for responding.
SL

[SUGAR~~]

Hello~ Quix is probably correct, as I had an experience almost identical to this about a month or so ago. that is exactly what the neuro opthamologist and the regular opthamologist said, as well. Just for reference, The doc told me any time there is white "aura" it is considered a ocular migraine. The only time that you should be concerned is if you totally lose your vision or there are black areas. Easy for him to say. He's probably not experiencing it!!!! Very scarey. Quix knows her stuff.

[Momzilla]

I do get these sometimes.  As you may know, I get lots of visual symptoms related to migraines.  No headache, usually, just the aura.  Usually for me just before my period and a few days into it.  Lots of visual symptoms.  

On the fourth of July, I don't ever have to go anywhere for a fireworks display.  Ever.  I just sit in the dark in my bedroom.  It's great fun!  I am a cheap date.

Zilla*

[Momzilla]

Hi!  Good to hear from you!

Chris*

[sllowe]

Hi There!
I'll take the ocular migraine over the other anyday! Thanks Ladies!