Eye Abnormality ???

[danny507]

I've had this on and off for about 2-3 years but it is still really worrying me.

I'll describe it as best as I can in the hope that someone else understands, as I have been to 2 opticians and they say its nothing but am still so worried.

Basically, all of a sudden at any time of day I will realise something is not quite right with vision then if I blink at a computer or tv screen or at the sky I will notice a small bright silver blob somewhere in my vision(just like when a camera is flashed in your eye) in one eye or the other but not usually in the same eye at the same time (although yesterday I had it several times during the day and in the same eyes at the same time!!). It will last from a few seconds to up to 10 mins (usually 1-2 mins) and then gradually fade to nothing.

Its not the same as migraine with aura as I have experienced a few times. When I get those I will loose parts of my vision in both eyes, then the classic zig-zig comes along will move acros my vision and I will usually then get a headache but I dont get a headache with this. Its also not the same as the tiny sparkly dots you get when looking at a bright sky (I cant remember the name of this) as I get that too!!

I am really hoping someone understands what I am talking about! My husband says its dehydration (I should drink much more than I do during the day I must admit) but I cant find any info on this online.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[danny507]

Ok ! Thank you doctor. It is indeed an detective's job... !

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No way to tell for sure but since you've had 3 normal eye exams by Eye MDs and over a year nothing permanent has developed its not like anything be done unless something changes.

One of the most common things might be an acute awareness of entopic phenomena such as after images, phosphenes, or arching light from traction of the eye muscles on the dark adapted retina.

Since floaters increase as we age this is not likely part of the issue.  Likely you can wait and see if something new develops or you can see a neuro-ophthalmologists who are sort of the Sherlock Holmes detectives of strange symptoms.  You can find one near you at www.geteyesmart.org

JCH MD

[danny507]

It has almost been a year now and my question was still not answered by any professionals of the eye nor general physicians. I have had issues occurring to me sometimes several times a day in my vision. I see a sort of shape in one eye OR the other always different shape occurs mostly when i am looking at the sky or bright lights or surfaces. When they occur i see them better when blinking my eye or moving it they can take up to 30% of my vision and are always centered but always different in shape. if i was to compare them, i would compare them to the spot you can see after you have seen a camera flash. Thy usually last around 20 seconds to 1 minute. It always happens in one eye at a time. I have paid for 3 Eye exams by ophthalmologists they all concluded that my eyes were in good condition. and this problem was maybe not eye related. I am living with this without any clear answer and it is quite frustrating, i have also recently noticed that i see floaters in either eyes one or two at a time, i never see more than one or two at a time but this is a condition i dint have 1 year ago. I do not know what to think anymore or what to do. maybe it could be part of a normal process my eyes are undergoing at 24 years old. Thanks for letting me know about your opinions...  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Some people have migraine "triggers", things such as cheese, wine, bright lights, chocolate, etc. Obviously if something causes these all or most times you do it and you can avoid doing it then do so.

If you live in USA find a neuro-ophthalmologist near you at www.geteyesmart.org

JCH MD

[danny507]

Thank you doctor, in the case of a Variant migraine, how could I treat it before my examination, advils... avoiding computer screen.. i remember completely loosing my central vision followed by huge headache when i was a child..I never had that precise condition since then but now that....could this be something similar. I train 3 times a week I am fairly in shape and have never had problems with my heart nor a member of my family.. I also had my pressure tested a couple times this year ( i am in average).

I appreciate your help.

D.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[jimgreg]

I just posted go read mine. Its very close to yours. But mine don't go away. Seems like the doc telling everyone to search!!!  so we need to help each other...go read mine please.. private message me,,thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No way to tell for sure but the most common condition causing that is "migraine variant" and represents another form of migraine that is devoid of headache and the more elaborate "zig-zags" of classic eye migraine.  Other possibilities would include disease of the heart, blood vessels or brain. Given you've had 2-3 years and nothing more ominous has developed it most likely is a migraine "equivalent"  Something changes or new problems develop I would see a neuro-ophthalmologist.

JCH MD