"Kaleidoscope eye"

[morgar]

Hi - I am a 58yo male and wear multifocal specs and use computers a lot in my work. For several years I have experienced bouts of a particular disturbance in both eyes at the same time. It starts out as a small prism like effect which gradually spirals in my vision - then after a few minutes it slowly dissipates. The effect really isnt in my eyesight as it is still there when I close my eyes and cannot be blocked out. I sit quietly, avoid light and have a drink of water during the episodes. I dont experience any especial pains such as migraines etc and seem to fully recover. I think it may be related to lack of electrolytes and mild dehydration but would like some guidance onthe possible causes. I know of only one other person who has the same symptoms but hers goes on to be a migraine. Any thoughts please?

[TAGLLC]

Water. The next time you get the "kaleidoscope" effect, think back to the last time you drank some water. Chances are it's been a while since you drank some water. Several people here have stated that they got the "effect" after strenuous activity and sweating. That type of activity most certainly drains a large amount of water from your body. If you are not drinking water during any exercise, that's just plain wrong. I'm 62 - I've had the "kaleidoscope" effect since...well, all my life as far as I can remember. I just had one episode about 40 minutes ago. As the link from "pugh" stated, it lasts about 30 minutes. You can't drive during them nor read or watch TV. If you drink a couple (yes at least 2) glasses of water right when you "see" the effect coming on, you can minimize the intensity, but it's not going to stop until it's darn good and ready. I've never had a headache before or after an episode, and never felt ill. It's just a pain in the a--. Until I found this forum I didn't know what it was called because everybody "I" ever talked to about it, including physicians, simply ignore me - AND ignore the fact that I've had Tinitus all my life. There are some things that physicians simply are not prepared to address and blow off a patient due to lack of expertise, but would never be honest enough with their patient to say, "I don't know. Let me research that." My physical health? I've eaten only natural foods since 1983. I've worked out all my life. During most of the 90's I was a personal trainer and body builder. Additionally, during that time I played racquetball most every day. Once in a while I'd experience an episode after playing racquetball, but I knew why and what to do for that. Even today I work out 4 days a week at the gym. I know all about hydrating, but sometimes I slip and that's when I get another episode. It's pretty common for me to get them on average once a month. Sometimes I'll go several months without one. The only thing "I" have found is to drink water and sit until the "kaleidoscope" passes. It starts in a different spot every time, and it always in both eyes. It may start on the right of each eye and move to the left - like a slow moving "ring" that passes over each eye. So today, after having another episode, I decided to search for either a cause or at least some information. In "my" mind, I just need to make sure that I'm drinking enough water all day because there is nothing I can do about the episodes otherwise. I've only had them once or twice while driving and was close enough to my destination (luckily) that I could get off the road within a minute or two after noticing that it was happening. Until physicians are educated on this "kaleidoscope" effect, I doubt we're going to find an absolute answer or determination of what we are experiencing. Those who experience more symptoms than the "kaleidoscope" really need to push their physician for more concrete answers.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[Britmag11]

My grandma went the er on Saturday for high blood sugar(421), after that and being diagnosed with a uti. She was released. While this was happening, she started seeing kaleidoscopes in her left eye. It's progressed as the week (today is Thursday) has gone by. Sometimes not happening for 30 mins other times happening every 3 mins. Usually only last around a min and no headache after. She got a referral to an eye dr and we go on monday. I'm just nervous that it's more. They are worse today then any day this week. Please I need some reassureance.

[JohnHaganMD]

When zig-zags, Kaleidoscope images occur in a young person associated with headache by far the most common cause is migraine however in older individuals who have never had migraines it can often be due to disease of the heart, brain, blood vessels or eyes or a form of TIA (transient ischemic attack).

[Eli_skater]

This is happening to me as I write this. Started out rather small and now is becoming a bigger c and I have a slight headache. Im 18. Ive had this happen when I was younger but thought nothing of it. Glad to know it might just be a migraine.

[Lovelymadhatter]

I got this for the second time ever just now. I'm 26. It freaked me out. It happened at work for the first time and I was pretty stressed that day. It happened again just now while I was outside smoking. I went to unplug a light and thought it was just spots from staring at the light. I didn't stare at it long. Came inside and tried to read but my vision was blocked by the c shaped kaleidoscope like crystalline thing. It was in both eyes. Was super annoying. Then after it started to go away I got a small headache. Was there for at least 10 mins.

[JohnHaganMD]

You need to be checked by a personal physician to be sure you have no disease of heart, blood vessels or brain that might mimic migraine and by an ophthalmologist to be certain you have no problems in the eye that might mimic migraine. And.......try and stop smoking.  If it is migraine and you smoke you considerably increase the risk of stroke.

[JohnHaganMD]

Migraine changes for most people as they get older. In the very young its nausea, vomiting, headache, sensitivity to light and sound and sometimes zig/zag (scintillating scotomas). As people enter middle age the symptoms tend to be more zig/zag and less headache, less nausea and vomiting and much milder. If someone starts migraines in middle age its usually zig/zags and mild or no headache.   Most people older than 60 with migraines outgrow them.  The problem is that in unusual cases migraine can be mimicked by disease of the heart, brain, blood vessels or eye.

[12jomo12]

Hey countless other weird eye disturbance folk!
Cannot express how relieved I am to search the net for 10 seconds and straight away stumble upon this thread. Exactly the same as everyone else is describing with no pain or warning, the zig zag circle that gradually gets bigger, turns into a 'C' then disappears off to the left.
38 yo female. Under a bit of stress but normal day to day stuff, that's all! History of migraine on first day of period that is easily controlled with painkiller meds. But never, ever anything like this!! Really freaked me out for the 20 mins I had it. Will make appt at GP and opticians. Horrible thing.