Eye Crossing and Other Weirdness

[alanevil]

For the about the last year, without warning of any kind, the following has happened to me:

First an area near the center of my vision will look like I have looked at the sun or a bright light.  Slowly this will expand into a somewhat circular pattern that will slowly open until it has vanished into the periphrea (sp?).  As it expands it looks somewhat jagged along the circular line and kind of vibrates.  Usually it is infrequent and is slightly reminiscent of the effect I get from imbibing anything with Nutrasweet style sweetener in it.  There is often but not always a slight headache after the vision is gone.  It usually takes about ten minutes to spread from the central dot until it vanishes.

Starting a few weeks ago I've had an occasional feeling like my eyes were crossing.  It feels exactly like when I have been awake too long and am struggling to keep my eyes open.  As best as I can see by covering one eye and then the other, my left eye is moving inward and up and even seems to be twisting slightly counterclockwise.  For the last week this has been nearly constant and is starting to really worry me.  I thought it might be extreme sinus pressure so I tried nose spray and ibuprofen but it seems to make no difference.  I get temporary relief by pressing on or around my eyes and if I cross my eyes intentionally that sometimes makes them snap back to the right place.

I don't know if these two things are connected but I have not had the weird light effect since the sleepy eyes thing has started.  

I had Lasik about two years ago, if that matters.  My blood pressure is occasionally high, and I'm a white male in my early 40's.  My vision is incredibly good at distance though my arms are about to be too short for reading small print.  

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Akila117]

You've described the two things that has been happening with me. Glad to know I'm not going crazy. I'm aware of the first being possible migraines. I too have had high blood pressure only after mitral valve replacement in 2005. Since then I've had these problems. The second symptom really  worries me because I drive and my vision is distorted for a few seconds when it happens. I will make an appointment with an opthamologist and come back and repost the findings.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear alanevil,

The first paragraph sounds like you may be having a migraine.  Migraines can induce visual symptoms which may be followed by headaches.  With regards to the migraines and eye musculature imbalance, I would recommend that you see an eyeMD to determine the diagnosis and treatment.  I would recommend that you control your blood pressure and if needed, wear reading glasses to reduce the strain.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

First problem is likely a classic migraine with visual aura.  I am not sure about the second problem an suspect there may be no relationship with the first.  Occasionally more serious problems can mimic a migraine so I think it is very important to see an ophthalmologist for a complete workup and perhaps see a neurologist as well.

MJK MD