If you're experiencing these visual problems in both eyes (next time it happens, cover one eye and see if it's still there), then there are a couple considerations of what these symptoms may represent. First, there is an entity called transient migrainous accompaniments, which is a fancy way of saying symptoms that come with a migraine. As you know, visual changes such as colored spots, wavy lines, or shapes/edges can precede a migraine and are called a visual aura. They are part of the migraine. As we get older, sometimes we can get the visual phenomena without the headache. As you mentioned a history of migraines, this is one possibility.
Second, occipital lobe seizures can manifest this way. The occipital lobe is the back part of your brain that processes the visual information from your eyes. If this part of the brain is stimulated abnormally, you can experience visual changes. My advice to you would be to see a neurologist who can do a formal exam and point you to the right direction in terms of workup such as an MRI of the brain and an EEG. Hope that helps.
I was diagnosed with highish blood (but not dangerously so) pressure at the same time. I know it sounds easy but try not to get too stressed out in life, it really is just not worth it. Take asprin. Hope this helps.
Also everything in my field of vision shimmers and moves. I have seen numerous neurologists all of my testing is in the normal range. Is there anyone "out there" who exeriences similiar symptoms? Beta blockers and anti-convulsants have not worked. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I have heard of people who have migranes without the actual headache. I commonly visit the MS Forum at Braintalk.org and it is a very busy forum there. Some there in the MS forum have what you have. There are other forums and might even be some kind of Migrane forum there. If so, I would suggest you check it out as it may be busier than it is here. ALthough there are no doctor replies there as there are here. Although some doctors may be members.
Here in Wales, UK,it is impossible to find out much about this
subject.I have been suffering severe visual disturbances for two years now, these have prevented me from working as the episodes
occur 3, 4, 5 times a week-sometimes lasting many hours.I am
regularly woken during the early hours of the morning so I tend to stay up as long as I can in a vain attempt to forestall them.
This has become a habit now and I rarely get more than a few hours sleep a night.I have become depressed and am taking the usual stuff for it.
The disturbances take the form of a small point of light in the
centre of my field of vision, this slowly grows as a ring with
shimmering, jagged edges that are red and green.The 'ring' grows
over a period of an hour or two to many hours.I can see through
the 'ring', albeit blurred, but beyond the ring it shimmers like petrol on water.Sometimes another ring begins in the middle of the original one (I still panic even after two years!)This can be accompanied by the most severe headaches imaginable, but
sometimes not.The medical treadmill was long and slow and at the end
of it I was left with no option but to try and live with it.
My hobbies were artwork and astronomy (my telescope is now the most expensive ornament in the house!)I'm taking Cipramil,
Oxazepam, Zimovane and Co-Dydramol, but to be honest they are more for the depression than anything else.I suppose I shall have to learn to live with it-anyone out there know different?
regards
Red Dragon