Optical migrains

[charmedlife]

Hi, this morning I was using my lighted magnified mirror for a few minutes and while doing so I experience a zigzag line in my right eye which lasted for a minute, if that.  I had this happen before back in the '90's.  I believe this is called an optical migrain....do you think the light could have had something to do with the zigzag experience.  Also, two years ago I had a vetrious detachment (spelling?) .... both eyes within a month of each other.  My doctor said everything was fine and there was no retina detachment, etc.  The only thing are the annoying floaters.  I don't believe what happened today has anything to do with the detachment.  Do you agree with my opinion?  Also, I do have my annual eye exam scheduled for April....unless I keep getting these zigzags, I am just going to wait until April....what do you think?  Thank you, charmedlife.

[charmedlife]

Thank you for the reply....I agree, I don't think I will use the light again.  I did go to my eye doctor yesterday just to make sure....I am going on a trip and didn't want it to happen while I was away.  He had no clue what it was....he didn't think it was anything dangerous....maybe an aborted migraine.  Thank you, again!

[birdlady1979]

I experienced a SEVERE migraine headache after using a magnifying mirror.
Then my eyes were sensitive to light for about 36 hours.
I really thought I damaged my eyes with it.it was a 12x magnifying mirror used to pluck my eyebrows.
Now I will never use one again.I threw the other one out.I think it strains your eyes and is bad for them.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

It could be either that or a flash of light from the retina.  You should get a dilated retinal exam again to be sure.  In my experience optical migraines usually last more than a minute.  Better safe than sorry.

HV