Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Am I experiencing optical migraines, or something else, please answer.
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Am I experiencing optical migraines, or something else, please answer.
by Diane__0__0, Sep 13, 1998 12:00AM
Approximately 1 1/2 years (age 34) while bent over checking for a serial # under my computer my vision in my right eye whited out for about 5 minutes. It started with white speckles that became so dense that I could not see anything but white waves and speckles. Since that time, I experience these episodes every couple of weeks, and it only happens when my head is upside down, example: cleaning the bathtub, picking something off the floor, but today it happened while jerking my head back to swallow a vitamin pill.
I have had a MRI and EEG, and were told that they were clean, and that there is no specific name for my problem other than it is some kind of optical migraine (even though it only lasts 5 minutes, and I experience NO headache or other migraine symptoms)
I have been left with an unsecure feeling about that diagnosis. Do you agree, or should I search for another opinion. If so, who would you recommend in the San Diego area?
=================================================================
Thanks for your question. The localization of your symptoms only in your
right eye make it rather compelling that the problem might be related the
blood supply to your eye, although most ischemic ("lack of bllod") symptoms
are described as "shades coming down" or complete "black-out" (i.e. "negative"
symptoms). The additional fact that certain neck movement also trigger the
symptoms also adds to this hypotheses. The Ophthalmic artery provides
the blood supply to the eye, and is the first branch coming out of the
Internal Carotid artery, so your symptoms could be a sign of potential
problems in your right Internal Carotid. This possibility should be investigated
because the internal carotid is responsible for a large portion of the
blood supply to your brain.
I would suggest a thourough evaluation by a neurologist, preferentially
one specialized in Cerebro-vascular disease. I do not personally know the
neurological community in San Diego, but a large medical/academic center
would be my suggestion.
I hope this information is helpful. Best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.
