What causes zigzag flashing lights in eyes?

Causes of Ocular Migraine. Ocular migraine is a term used to cover several migraine subtypes that cause visual disturbances. They can develop with or without the accompanying pain of a classic migraine attack. During an ocular migraine flare, you may see flashing or shimmering lights, zigzagging lines, or stars.

What does it mean when you see zigzag?

Ocular Migraine Symptoms

People with ocular migraines can have a variety of visual symptoms. Typically you will see a small, enlarging blind spot (scotoma) in your central vision with bright, flickering lights (scintillations) or a shimmering zig-zag line (metamorphopsia) inside the blind spot.

Should I worry about ocular migraines?

The visual disturbances may temporarily interfere with certain daily activities such as reading or driving, but the condition usually is not considered serious. It has been noted, however, that aura may be associated with a small increased risk of stroke (cerebral infarction) in women.

Should I see a doctor for kaleidoscope vision?

If you experience kaleidoscope vision or any other migraine symptoms for the first time, or if the visual patterns differ from what usually occurs, it's best to see your doctor to ensure that it is a migraine and not something more serious.

What triggers ocular migraine?

Causes & risk factors

Ocular migraines are typically caused by reduced blood flow or spasms of blood vessels in the retina or behind the eye.

Sometimes I see lines or zigzags in my vision. Should I worry?

Are ocular migraines related to strokes?

The bottom line. Ocular migraine, or migraine with aura, and stroke are two different conditions. Having an attack doesn't mean you're having a stroke or are about to have one. However, research has shown that people with migraine with aura are at an increased risk of stroke.

Can high blood pressure cause ocular migraines?

Retinal migraines are more likely to be triggered by other factors: intense exercise, dehydration, low blood sugar, high blood pressure, hot temperatures, and tobacco use.

How do I get rid of kaleidoscope vision?

Q: How do you get rid of kaleidoscope vision? A: There is currently no cure for kaleidoscope vision, but like any other migraine symptom, usually goes away on its own after an hour or so. People can take medication to alleviate painful sensations and prevent migraine attacks from occurring.

What triggers kaleidoscope vision?

Kaleidoscopic vision is most often caused by a type of migraine headache known as a visual or ocular migraine. A visual migraine occurs when nerve cells in the part of your brain responsible for vision begin firing erratically. It generally passes in 10 to 30 minutes.

What does kaleidoscope vision look like?

Kaleidoscope vision is characterized by images that are disjointed, blurry, and brightly colored. They appear as if you're looking through a kaleidoscope or broken glass, and can last for an hour or more. Most often, kaleidoscope vision is a symptom of ocular migraine or migraine with aura.

Can ocular migraines be a symptom of something else?

The causes of ocular migraines differ from person to person, and sometimes they are just unexplainable. Some say chocolate or caffeine triggers them, while others believe stress and certain medications are a factor. Still, other sufferers say they experience ocular migraines randomly.

What is the fastest way to cure an ocular migraine?

The visual portion of an ocular migraine typically lasts less than 60 minutes, so most people don't need treatment. It's best to stop what you're doing and rest your eyes until your vision goes back to normal. If you have a headache, take a pain reliever that your doctor recommends.

Can dehydration cause ocular migraines?

Dehydration. Though often overlooked, dehydration is one of the most common causes of migraine headaches—and thus, of visual and ocular migraines. For some especially migraine-sensitive folks, even mild dehydration can trigger a migraine event.

Can stress cause kaleidoscope vision?

Visual irregularities, like kaleidoscope vision, are common symptoms of anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and hyperstimulation. Kaleidoscope vision as a result of anxiety can be caused by: Activation of the body's fight-or-flight stress response. Overly apprehensive behavior.

What does it mean to see prisms in your eyes?

Kaleidoscope vision is a symptom of migraine. The brain creates a visual illusion of fractured or bright colors, similar to those a person might see through a kaleidoscope. Migraine can affect vision in many ways. Some people see sparkling lights or blind spots, while others experience kaleidoscope vision.

Does diabetes cause kaleidoscope vision?

Uncontrolled diabetes: Chronic or consistently high sugar levels can lead to kaleidoscopic vision, likely due to swelling over the retina and cornea because of microvascular injury in the case of diabetes. Symptoms generally disappear when sugar levels are brought down to normal.

Can brain tumors cause ocular migraines?

In another study, Forsyth et al. [5] reported that headaches were similar to ten- sion-type in 77%, migraine-type in 9%, and other types in 14% of 111 patients with a brain tumor. Our cases presented with only migraine-type headache with migraine-like visual aura due to an astrocytoma.

Can neck problems cause ocular migraine?

These tense muscles press on the eye nerves located on the back of your neck, and the flow of blood to your eyes becomes restricted. This results in frequent headaches or migraines, as well as throbbing around your temples, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision.

Can low thyroid cause ocular migraines?

The study researchers conclude that “patients with subclinical hypothyroidism have an increased risk of developing both migraine with aura and migraine without aura in respect to controls.

What foods should I avoid with ocular migraines?

Alcohol, chocolate, and caffeine are all common migraine triggers. Other possible trigger foods include cheese, salami, and pickled foods containing large amounts of tyramine. Food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and artificial sweeteners like aspartame can also trigger migraines in some individuals.

Can blood sugar cause ocular migraines?

Extreme changes in weather may be more likely to cause ocular migraine symptoms. Low blood sugar. For some people, low blood sugar can trigger a range of migraine symptoms. Low blood sugar is more likely to trigger a retinal migraine than other types of migraines.

Can high blood pressure cause migraine with aura?

Headaches that are linked to high blood pressure are often described specifically as a pounding, tight, or banging pain, sometimes with a migraine-like 'aura'.

What happens in the brain during an ocular migraine?

The result: The brain produces an outsize reaction to the trigger, its electrical system (mis)firing on all cylinders. This electrical activity causes a change in blood flow to the brain, which in turn affects the brain's nerves, causing pain.

What is an ocular migraine without headache?

“Ocular Migraine” is a term that has been used to refer to a number of migraine subtypes that are characterized by a variety of visual disturbances including visual loss, blind spots, zig-zag lines, or seeing stars. Unlike other forms of migraine, they may occur without any accompanying head pain.

What are the warning signs of a detached retina?