jagged line blocking vision

I recently several strange occurances with my vision. It is hard to
describe, but it is like a jagged line that seems to start in the edge and
moves towards the center over the course of an hour. Its not a solid line,
but seems to blend with what ever I am looking at. This seems to occur
with both eyes, but not usualy at the same time. Times it is impossible to
read. I have notices this occurs under moreso under fatigue times and
sometimes with headaches. After several hours of shut eye, it is gone.

I recently had a retina scan and nothing was found. I asked my doc and he
said to take better care of myself and get more sleep.

Any clues as to what is going on?

 

I AM NOT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. Nevertheless, my guess is that you had an
ocular migraine. See an ophthalmological neurologist, if there is such a
specialty. It is likely that you will not be helped, but it may put your
mind at ease.

Bill
-- Ferme le Bush

 

Since the docs may be in bed by now, google for "visual migraine", which is
what it sounds like to me. I've had perhaps 4 episodes in the last 20
years. The first one was scary (it happened while I was driving) but went
away in 15 minutes or so. The second one happened at work, and I tried to
get to my optometrist before it disappeared. Oops, not long enough.
Eventually I found out what they were and that my mom and grandma had them
too. If that's all it is, enjoy it while it lasts (as long as it doesn't
actually hurt) and don't worry.

Check back tomorrow because the docs may have completely different ideas.

 

Most common symptom of migraine is the type of visual symptom you describe,
which often precedes the headache.

 

This is migraine. We refer to it as a fortification scotoma as it is a
jagged line like an old fashioned fortification. It is benign and each
episode will be nearly identical to the last. Most people do not get
headaches with it. It is not associated with the eye but is in the
brain, in the occipital lobe, usually.

Some people can find causes for them. Stress will do it to a lot of
people. Certain foods will do it to others; caffeine, nuts, onions,
bananas, monosodium glutamate, practically anything in a can, preserved
meats, etc. Bright lights (driving into the sun) do it to some. Some
girls get them once a month. Dietary causes do it usually within
minutes of consumption. If you discover what it is, avoid the
offending substance and your troubles will be over.

Rarely migraines lead to permanent deficits or are caused by serious
diseases.

 

From my own experience, they differ from time to time. Sometimes they are
described as originally posted. I have had temporary scotomas ranging in
size from covering a period of typical text to a bit more than a lower case
o. Sometimes, I have had multiple tiny dots. Having worked with lasers, I
first was scared that I had sustained retinal damage.

Bill
-- Ferme le Bush

 

As everyone else said it is ocular migraine. I get it regularly and
it lasts about 20 minutes. As I only have one eye, it blinds me in
effect and I can't do anything for the duration. Every time I know
what it is but am still scared that maybe this time it won't clear.
It always does. If you get a headache afterwards then it's true
migraine and the visual effects are the aura. With ocular migraine,
the headache doesn't happen.

Ann