permanent visual aura

[Kris189]

Hello, i have suffered from visual snow for 11 years now and all the doctors i have seen have told me i have depression and anxiety.i have had an MRI and CT which were clear. I am convined that the migraines i started getting at the age of 16 have caused this permanent change in my vision and this has caused me to become anxious and depressed. Everything has an unusal glow about it and appears too bright. i have trouble with flourescent lighting and focusing on reading black text on white paper. computer screens are an issue and lectures at uni are difficult as the white background on the screen makes it hard for me to see beyong the flickering it causes me. after i look at an object then look away i see after images. i have trouble focusing on people when i talk to them due to the visual static. the vision is similar to the auras i used to suffer from before getting a migraine but not as severe.
I would give anything just to have normal vision, it's been so long that i've forgotten what it is like. i avoid social situations in bright lighting due to my focusing problems and i'm sick of this vision thing making everything appear dreamlike!
Do you have any advice?

[avedis27]

Wow, I suffer from exactly the same symptoms - Have been to doctors, eye specialists, had the cat scans...and have basically been told there is nothing that can be done...I just have just accepted the fact I have to live with it.

I am also a migrane sufferer and have had the auras for about 4 years now. I just live with it although it really does effect quality of life. I find it hard to concentrate and focus because the auras always get in the way. My optometrist said I had to be careful of Glaucoma when I get older.

I'm glad I have found people that can actually relate to what I am going through.

[mitchm5]

I too have the symptoms you describe. I was told by a neurologist that I "couldn't possibly have what I was describing because it was too rare." Since I have depression and social anxiety he was basically labeling me a hypochondriac. I have had the eye exams and the MRI's. I've had symptoms for about 8 years, first noticing it as an all over snow or speckling in dim light, then realizing it was there all the time. I believe it developed at the same time as my tinnitus which I know was a side effect from Wellbutrin. My eye doctor said it sounded as though some "switch was turned on and couldn't be turned off." I am not certain if it is an aura (it does get worse and even pulse with a headache) or if I am actually seeing the viscous fluid in the eye. Whatever it is there appears to be no cure for it and little understanding of it by the medical community. I have come to accept that this is just something I have to live with and I'm grateful I can see when there are so many people who can't.

[jasonbooke]

Hey Kris,
I can relate 100% to your symptoms. As i read your previous posts, it was as if I had posted them myself, our symptoms are very alike; black letters on white paper, computer screens, everything seems to have a glow around it. Whenever I would talk with someone at work I would continually look away for brief seconds as my eyes would glaze over and I would lose concentration. I would concentrate more on the aura instead of the content of our coversation, quite frustrating when you sell houses for a living and face to face communication is essential.
      My auras, first began at 16, usually after a game of football (soccer),
and were followed by a migraine generally lasting 2-3 days. The aura however would cease. I am now 19 and have since stopped playing sports, but now have a permanent aura which is much more mild then those which came before a migraine, but in my opinion are most annoying as they occur 24/7. With this condition comes a constant change in mood and intelligence level. This change in mood has caused a breakdown in relationships more then once.
      My neurologist suggested a drug known as 'sandomigran' which has helped my aura migraines but has failed to remove my mild permanent aura. I have another appointment with him in a week and am keen to solve this problem. I can't even remember what normal vision looked like.
Hope this helps but also maybe you can find comfort in that you are not alone.
Cheers Jason B.

[reggie82]

Hi,
I was just reading your symptoms and the likeness to what I have is identical - black writing on white paper, computer screens, lights etc. I've had it permanantly for about a year now with no improvement. I never really had migranes or headaches previously. Just wondering if you have made any headway in your search?
Cheers

[TaraLynner]

I also have this permanent aura and have had it since I was 23.  I have also had it for 11 years.  It tends to get worse as I get a migraine and will block out portions of my visual field.  I believe that this started when I was getting daily migrines and was taking Imitrex on a daily basis.  The auras would appear when I would get a migraine.  Since I was getting them everyday, the aura remained.  My neurologist thought it was because of the Imitrex and I stopped taking that.  But, the migraines did not stop, so I am currently using another triptan drug when I get a migraine.  I am on an anti-depressant but that is not curbing them at this time.  I have seen a neuro-optomologist.  I saw him about 8 years ago.  I had all of the visual tests performed and ,everything came out fine.  I was able to pass the visual field test although I always see white, floating lights in my visual field.  He told me that this is because of "crossed-wires" in my brain due to the daily migraines and Imitrex.  He had heard of only two other cases like mine, but there was no treatment or solution.  He said that I could try other meds to see if they help.  I was really tired of being on meds so I declined.  No one can seem to help me get a handle on these migraines, let alone the permanent visual disturbance.  It is frustrating and makes me feel quite out of control of my body!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I think you may want to give a consult with the neuroophthalmologist a try. Migraine auras are usually reversible and you have mentioned that your symptoms lasted for like years.It is best to have a complete ophthalmologic examination done.Migraines are given as a diagnosis when there are no other underlying conditions.In your case, your vision needs to be assessed.

Keep us posted for anything.