Kaleidoscope vision in one eye

[paininreno]

4 or 5 weeks ago on a Sunday morning, I got up around 7am and started doig chores and engaged in an entire pot of coffee all the while.  Around 1 in the afternoon I began to feel very dizzy and lightheaded. Suddenly I began to have what I can only describe as Kaleidoscope colors in an arched fashion above my right eye.  The pattern started out as like a singular rainbow of mosaic-type color that continually moved.  Soon it was double and then triple rainbow arches inhibiting my vision. Scared the **** out of me and felt I needed to eat something.  In between closing my right eye I managed to scramble a couple of eggs, very shakily.  I honestly thought I was having a stroke.  I managed to eat and eventually (about 30 minutes later) the colors subsided.  I had no headache and no history of Migraine so it didn't even dawn on me that's what it could be.  I went to my PCP the next morning and my Nurse Practitioner said she thought it was a Migraine without the headache.  Well, tonight it happened again only I had no warning, no dizziness or loss of balance.  I was watching Wheel of Fortune and folding clothes.  I was flipping jeans over my head and forward to get the wrinkles out before I folded them.  All I could think when it was happening that the aura resembled the Wheel in color and shape only not a full circle.  This time I lost my balance after the colors subsided, got scared and took a Xanax to head off the inevitable panic attack.  After I "recovered" I Googled "kaleidoscope vision" and it seems there may be a connection to Multiple Sclerosis.  Since this is only the 2nd episode in 6 weeks, do I get freaked out and start asking for spinal taps and MRI's of the brain for the MS diagnosis, or should I roll with it and enjoy the colors for a while?  Without any warning I am terrified it may happen when I'm driving and won't be able to pull over.  Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I don't get the blind spots in the vision line, just the arches of color until they multiply into the sight of vision. I also have a history of two failed back surgeries, have constant back and left hip/leg pain, which they attribute to nerve damage and severe arthritis in the spine.  The hip pain has become so bad that I have a very hard time weight-baring and most mornings need to manually lift my left leg to get it into the car.  Have trouble standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time, but do okay walking other than a slight drag/heaviness in left leg. Plus, I notice I am spelling words wrong and feel rather dyslexic, but that could be the Xanax.  Help!

[Katt1950mm]

Wow I came here to ask one question and so far I read I might have a brain tumor or MS thanks

[Aeternal]

This just happened to me, now I have a killer headache. I am only 19. I feel like I am the only one on here getting it this young. Also, MS runs in my family. Here's hoping it's unrelated.

[supermum_ms]

Aeternal you have posted on a very old post....i'm going to re-post what nancy kindly explained about kaleidoscope vision back in 09 in the hope it helps you make sense of what's likely going on:

"Those are ocular migraines (also called optical, visual, or painless migraines)... Sometimes they are triggered by hormone changes (puberty, perimenopause) and also by specific triggers for certain people, e.g., stress, too much caffeine, too much or too little sleep (many people get them when they sleep in on weekends), weather changes, altitude, certain foods such as cheese, chocolate or wine (the food list is very long), etc.

Migraines can also cause attacks of dizziness, hearing or vision disturbance, sensitivity to light or sound, numbness or tingling in the face or in an arm or leg, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, trouble speaking or understanding speech, and other symptoms. You absolutely DO NOT have to have a headache in order for it to be a migraine...

People's visual auras can vary quite a bit. "Kaleidoscope vision" is a common description; also "flashing lights," "diamonds in a heat wave," etc. Typically they do expand and move outward/upward and then pass after 20-40 minutes, though they can last a shorter or longer time...

Here is an interesting video from the Mayo Clinic on migraine auras and attacks:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-aura/MM00659

Hope that helps.....JJ

[michelle85379]

u just all seem to want to have it.i mean the ones on here who say.. my dr says i have MS but yet no test are full of sh...

[MamaWudjet]

MamaWudjet
In my experience this happens when I come to an Awakening... Or what I like to call a "Deep Realization.

[MamaWudjet]

In my experience this happens when I come to an Awakening... R what some may call a "Deep Realization"

[kdbetteshanger]

I have just had exactly the same thing happen to me!  I have also noticed joints tightening up recently, although I am otherwise fairly fit - walking every day for at least half an hour and jogging! I'm 54.  I also have pains in my hip.  My friend who is a nurse explains the pains as sciatica (sorry can't spell it!).  Going for an eye test tomorrow.

[SpeedyXN7]

Thank you all for posting.  I thought I was having a stroke also.  Just experienced my first iteration of what might very well be an ocular migraine.  Started with my right trapezius (neck) burning, like I had looked in that direction and tweaked it. Then, started seeing a weird pattern with what I thought was my right eye.  The pattern (like looking through a kaleidoscope) started out small and cresent shaped, and then grew.  I covered my right eye and my left eye saw the same thing. I couldnt read typed words on a paper; I could see the words, but when I went to read them, I could only see half, and the rest was blurry.  It was so weird.  The pattern grew from the upper center of my eye to also the right side and through the bottom.  I kept grabbing my right eye and asking my coworker if my eye was drooping.  It was not.  I have migraines (about one per month) with no visual cues at all; this is the first iteration of the freaky eye show.  About 30 minutes into this madness, I did a hamstring stretch (stand up, feet together, bend at the waist) with my arms behind me to stretch my shoulders/neck like usual, as I had done a lot of shoulder work at the gym that morning and thought that may have contributed to my neck pain.  When I stood back up, that helped some of the intensity of the kaleidoscope go away.  I did that for a few more times and the intensity grew.  Regardless, I headed for the house, took an ibpropren (more for the pain in my neck (that traveled up to where the muscle attaches at the head), but this was not pain associated with my head like migraines.  I am already scheduled to talk with my physician in a few days for migraine management; guess i will add this to the list.  It was very weird; it was not painful like a migraine but more scary like am I having a stroke, freak out.  Thank you for sharing your stories.
Demographics: 35yo female in excellent health, migraines are common, no caffeine today, food was normal, everything was normal. Not sure what triggered.  

[vegas1hair]

Mine was the same as well. Went to the gym. I really didn't feel well through my whole workout. I had my episode at work about 3 hours later. I scared the crap out of my client and myself. I ended up taking half of a Xanax and an emergen-c vitamin pack. It took about 15 minutes then it was gone. I still feel a little off. Going to bed early.

[debba7997]

OH MY Gosh! I just saw these posts and have been so concerned that there is something wrong with me. I have all those same symptoms and it seems to start as a small area and then grows as large as my field of vision. Eventually going away, but it is hard to see and focus on anything. Paininreno, I have to tell you your history of back issues, down to the failed surgeries and your pain is the same as mine! Kind of weird, but have you ever gotten an answer to this issue? I also thought I was having a stroke, but had no other symptoms. Not sure if there is a way to respond to this, so I guess I will check back, I know this is like 7 years later, so you might not even know this post is still online, or even have a way to get it. I will hope somehow there is a way to hear back.

[Niki0505]

I have the exact same thing. Ive had them for years but only maybe once a year. Talked with Dr in the past and was told they may be ocular migraines. But now Im very concerned because Ive had 5 episodes in the last 30 days.  I go differen Dr today hopefully they can figure out whats going on.

[Niki0505]

Sorry meant to say. Im going to a different DR TODAY.

[May3000]

Mine is different. Started noticing long light beams coming down from street lamps in both eyes and a broken glass circle (yellow the same as street light) growing larger like a black hole in syfy in right eye around Dec 2015 during the rain. It lasted the entire time I was out there. Went away when I do not look at bright lights.  I am 57 and nearsighted. Had bleeding in back of left eye - I believe was caused by dry eyes even though docs said it was severe myopia. Today Jan 19 2016 took a nap and woke up to a light gray long cloud forming a circle in both eyes. Seems like its getting worse. I dont see the funny shapes unless I'm looking at lights but this was the first time I saw it in both eyes in a dark room. I had my eyes dialted every month for 7 months straight trying to take care of bleeding eye. Bleeding eye is fixed but cause other problems for me.

[Delta19nr]

As far as descriptions go, mine looks like, oily finger prints on glasses.  They have that, oiled water look or something of that nature.  Am I on par with the rest of you?  I've been getting this across my peripheral vision periodically.  I can never look directly at these, "oil marks", they are always outside my peripheral vision.

[HVAC]

Migraines can cause this.

Alex

[Jenraber]

Like others I'm so thankful to find this. Everyone explained it perfectly. I too thought I was having a stroke or totally about to go blind. Was reading when all turned blurry, and the colors and shapes started above my right eye!!!!! Kaleidoscope fits perfectly as a description. So does exception migraine help? I do have a headache but thought it was just allergies.

[jkjump04]

Did you see geometric type shapes in your vision and where they there when you closed your eyes?

[Way2gograce]

Yes. Right eye. Distance almost touchable...any redirect of my eye and object focus I attempted did not do anything, still exactly like a keilidescope triangles.  Dizzy daily n recently had completely blacked out upon standing and walking too fast.  Blood work. Normal however er never did Ct or MRI. My husband catches me almost daily as if I stagger drunk room spins.  I was told by er not to close my eyes as this extremely worsens my stance.  Should I be concerned

[nola3nc]

I too have these symptoms .... I have found that if I eat a spoon full of peanut butter when this happens literally within a few minutes my eyesight clears up....I wonder why?

[Psh6190]

I tried your remedy, a spoonful of peanut butter. It worked for me within about 4 minutes, the kaleidescope vision stopped.

[PurpleNerple]

This works for me too! Currently happening in my left eye. Just ate a spoonful of peanut butter,and took a vitamin. Oddly,mine happens the same time each month.

[digger24k]

The first time I experienced one was when I was 38.  I, too, thought I was having a stroke.  I was writing at the time and could not see what I had just written.  My blood pressure rose (I now know was due to increased anxiety).  I actually went to the ER (following an afternoon of tests they found nothing wrong).  It wasn't for 20 years when I was having an eye exam and I mentioned it to the optometrist and he called it a kaleidoscope migraine that I knew there was such a thing.  I experience vision loss that travels into then out of my line of sight changing shape as it goes for about 45 minutes leaving me feeling very tired (lethargic?).  No real pain other than a very slight throbbing sensation in the head.  Best remedy?  Lay down in a dark room till it goes away.  (Hardly ever possible).

I had  no medical issues, whatsoever, at the the time of the original occurrence.  I continue to have them to this day.  More annoying than anything, but worrisome when they happen in clusters (will go weeks without then 2 or 3 in a day or a several in a week).  Seem to be triggered by a flash of light.

[1Peachy45]

I would not jump into CT scans. It is a pretty high dosage of radiation, higher then X-ray. Also, if opting for MRI opt out of any dies. Look for cash prices in your city, there are wonderful prices when you are not using your insurance: had a member of my family do $500 MRI, opted out of dye after reading about  potential long term complications, and doctor, who recommended the usage of the dye in the first place, did not even comment on it not being used, read all the pictures, w/o any problem(typical). MRI place also used a very cool online app, where it is possible to see your own MRI results in 3D and sliced.
Anyway, sometimes our desire to know exactly what is going on will lead to us getting very sick eventually, as majority of tests are detrimental for our health. Find holistic doctor if possible. We take much higher risk when eating conventional  FDA blessed meat, milk and eggs than while skipping tests, or not being paranoid about every symptom.

[Galinpa]

Wow so very happy I found this. I was chatting to my daughter via internet and all of a sudden the words were there but was having difficulty reading them, like they were all coming together! I stopped reading! closed my eyes! and in my right eye! I saw colors in the shape of triangles! Blue and red and like bright light I with it! I kept trying to close my eyes to make it go away, but it kept getting brighter and bigger. Started in my upper eye and moved down the side and the bottom! I actually went into my husband and thought I was having a stroke as well. Panic set in! With my eyes open that eye felt funny and it seemed I had no side vision. It passed in around 20 minutes! I had my eyes dilated yesterday at the eye doctor. Could this have brought this on? I didn't like it one bit! it was like my eye was painting a picture of colorful triangles!!

[Sele51]

I have exactly the same since 2005, no pain at all. but as my doctor said it was a visual migraine caused by stress, I do not pay atention to it. I just relax a bit and it goes off within few minutes. If I am driving when it comes, I park in a safe place and relax. Not to worry my friend!! All the best for you.

[DeafRaz]

last night i saw top of my both eyes vision there are shadow ceiling fan spinning i was like wtf is this. in where my room there are no ceiling fan. i freaked out.  I never had it before.  i wonder what is it? i googled and i saw u and i got similar experience. any idea what is it ? is that kaleidoscope vision?

[Vilcabamba]

Omg. I get these too. I just recently got insurance but after having the occur over the last few years I was terrified I may have a neurological condition and didn't want to ask my gp. I did have this happen while driving and I lights make it worse but other than feeling off, they seem to go away after a naproxen and a rest. This really help me not to be so scared.

[Lisswa]

I am so HAPPY to find this.. Sorry we all are going through it.. But let me tell you I was about to call 911 for the experience I just had!! Holy Moly!! So has anyone found out what this is?! I had a back surgery. And after that had these "episodes" (Panic attack central) start happening!! I just had a feeling like I was crossing my eyes involuntarily! I also get the craving to eat anything... I also have a Pain in my left shoulder. It feels like something is pinching.. but a little cold around where the pain is?! I had what they call syncope. I haven't had an episode in years. Unless they are changing into this... I am kinda freaking out.. which doesn't help. Thanks for this article!!

[yoshie1962]

This is EXACTLY what happened to me today.... I have NEVER had this and it kind of scared me.  I work at a High School so I mentioned it to the school nurse. She was concerned that I might have the beginnings of a detached retina. She came down just before the day ended and ask how it was... Really I had not really noticed but it had left and had been gone for quite some time and I was having no further problems.  Once I came home I googled detached retina and it did not seem to fit what I had felt... I then just typed in the question "What would cause a crescent shaped set of multi-colored "W's" in vision and I found this.... from what I have read this is nothing to really be concerned about... am I reading this correctly?  Would like to feel better about not having a real "health" issue.... any further information would be greatly appreciated!

[Theresalp]

I am glad that you posted. I have posted in other posts only I describe it as lightening strikes or a half circle of Z,s. Also always in my right eye.
I never have pain and no coffee etc involved when they happen. I am betting mine is also this.

[BCmich]

Thanks for posting this information.  As an optician and being years in the field for over 30 years I have never heard of this aura migraine.  I just experienced one and it freaked me out.  Loss of functioning vision for 10 min in both eyes, with the waves more like a circular mirror pattern as described in the video.  This video explained what I had.  I also got the food craving.  Lasted in total about 20 mins. Not so worried now as sight has resumed.  Assuming its due to stress and hormones.  Only in my late 40s so not prepared for all these health changes! Thanks for the info.

[Bludave]

Had my first occurrence of this last night and again this afternoon, second one brighter and more kaleidoscopic but I ate immediately after it appeared and it went away faster.
Nothing new in my food intake or particularly tired in fact I seemed to have more energy.
I do have a headache (kaleidoscope on right eye, headache on left side of head)

Will monitor for any recurrence but this page has helped calm any fears thank you all

[kjkinvara]

Nice term kaleidoscope. I never thought of that and couldn't find anything online. Thank you for the site. I called them repeat twirling rainbow crosses that also move in a continuous motion downwards in a crescent  on the inside of my right eye and partially on the left. Mine are caused by pressure. All symptoms disappear with cortisone drops almost immediately. I generally feel weird with a slight headache. Mine have been life-long. This is a sinus issue with undeveloped sinus cavities and no connection the ear canals. I don't think of it as a migraine because of the immediate relief from cortisone which takes the pressure down. I have also found that icing my orbits cause tearing which reduces pressure. I find it disturbing and i can't really see.