Temporary Total Blindness

[blind as a bat]

I have recently experienced 2 bouts of blindness, one was complete and total blindness in both eyes, the second was 1 eye and was still able to see some light, the 1st lasting 1.5 - 3 minutes at my best estimate, the 2nd, I simply went to sleep so not sure.
Have been to Opthamologist who indicted Ocular Migraine. I will need to contact primary and probably revisit Neuologist. I have experienced Migraines for about 20 years, have taken Fiorasette for pain for the past 10 as needed but visual disturbances have changed and become much more frequent as well as the pain.
I did visit a Neurologist about 6 years ago when the visual changes began to take place and went thru some screening and it was thought then that due to my age the migraines were simply changing. I am now 50 and the blindness is new, the auras are almost daily, I have also experienced tingling in my legs and other parts of my body, not sure if it is related. The concern of course is driving and losing my sight, poses a risk to others and myself.
My question while waiting to see the doctor, are there medications that can prevent the bouts of blindness? The whole experience was more annoying than frightening but again, I don't want to put others or myself at risk, both bouts were in the evening. I am right now trying to get as much information as possible so I am well informed and can ask the right questions when I return to a Neurologist.
Thank you for any information or sources for information that you can provide.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

It is true that this could have represented a migraine. However, this could have also been a warning sign of a stroke, or low blood pressure. I agree with you contacting your neurologist. They can review your story and arrange for the appropriate tests. There are no medications without a doctors prescription which you can take to prevent these (if they are migraine). Medications to help prevent migraines such as Elavil, Doxepin, Verapamil, Beta-blockers and some anti seizure medications can be tried. Good luck.

[johnflox]

There are many drugs that cause most of the neurologic symptoms that are described in your post.

For instance, prior to your disorders, did you take any antibiotic belonging to the class of quinolones (cipro, levaquin, tequin, and others)?

If so, you could be experiencing a long term reaction to those antibiotics (or other drugs that are very neurotoxic, although the medical class do not admit it properly).

The new episodes could be caused by more ingestion of the drugs through food (chemically treated poultry for example).

You might check what drugs you took in the past in order to discard causes.

[a1ab]

My husband has been hospitalized in the ICU for a problem similar to the one you described. In his case, he had an ischemic stroke affecting his eyes. He went blind for about 15 minutes. The doctors thought a blood clot had caused this, but by the time he saw the doctor the clot had resolved.

Next time you have this temporary blindness, perhaps you need to call an ambulance or go to the emergency room. Don't be too alarmed, but if you have a small stroke, there is a chance of having a much larger stroke 48 hours to 90 days later.

I am not a doctor but feel I must warn you of this. If your neurology appointment is soon, that will probably suffice because you didn't go to the emergency room right away, so even a CT scan may not show any problems, now. In other words, it's too late for the emergency room unless this happens again.

A fundoscope exam by an eye doctor may also show something, depending on the cause. Have your blood pressure checked -- and controlled. Very high blood pressure can lead to blindness via occular vein occlusion, and the damage can show up on a fundoscope.

My husband dallied around about seeing a doctor until he lost some of his vision permanently.

[blind as a bat]

thanks to johnflox and a1ab for your comments. see the neurologist in a couple more weeks. haven't taken any antibiotics in quite some time, do have to take them for tooth cleaning due to heart murmur, usually amoxicillin once every 6 months. as far as the stroke, thank you for the heads up, i have been warned by several people about the possibility the early warning signs of stroke and these episodes. i don't have high blood pressure but am now concerned that i took viox for a brief period last spring for swelling in my knees. i am still inclined to think migraine as the more i research the more symptoms i have experienced that i didn't realize were related to migraine for example, tender spots on my head, very painful to touch and then they are gone the following day. have had a couple more sight episodes, one of which was very different and involved hallos around all the lites, it was like looking thru a vale, just one eye, however opthamologist said eyes are healthy and cataracts have not formed. the cloudiness cleared later in the day and i could see well again. will be glad to get to the bottom of it but have a feeling it will take awhile to get answers. thanks for your comments and concern.

[spongebob98]

A related discussion, temporary blindness was started.