has anyone heard of silent migraines and how they effect vision?

Question

What causes them?

Answer 1

I used to have ocular symptoms with my worst migraines...was kinda like tunnel vision...the outside of my vision got dark and closed in on my central vision. This then was followed by a full blown migraine. It was always temporary and was what my neurologist called the "prodrome" or "migraine aura". My visual symptoms would usually go away in 10-30 minutes, then came the headache (tho some people do not get that headache), and from my personal experience, the longer my visual aura, the worse my migraine.

There are sometimes migraines where there is no actual headache, only ocular symptoms. I have done medical transcription for a neuro-ophthalmologist who has diagnosed these for a few people. Generally from what I've read, there are some "positive visual phenomenon", like wavy lines, black tunnels, white or black spots that march across your vision, lasting only short times, then disappear as quickly as they started. From what I have read and typed, the structural eye exams are normal, meaning that nothing out of the ordinary is found. The visual symptoms are temporary and do not seem to have any effect on permanent vision.

If you are having some "ocular migraines" try to document what is going on around the time you get them...will help your doctor/optometrist/neurologist figure out if this is truly an ocular migraine or if it is something else. I would try to schedule an appointment just to check things out, but the emergent nature is not there.

If you have a sudden loss of vision, or double vision, that does not go away within a few minutes, do not hesitate to get to your eye doctor as soon as you can, as that can mean other eye problems.

Answer 2

It's a non-clinical term for a migraine without headache.

Although severe classically one-sided headache is a common symptom in migraine, it is in no way essential.

The vision and the other symptoms of migraine may be present to the same varying degree whether or not headache is present.
Few people are unlucky enough to have a full set of full-strength symptoms.
Visual efffects:
"Fortification spectra" or "bright hairy caterpillar"
A curved or jagged shimmering line that slowly drifts across the vision. There may be a blind spot inside the crescent.
Hemianopia: loss of vison to one side in both eyes.

These are, of course, temporary.

It's long been considered that there is no permanent effect from migraine attacks.
This is now being reconsidered, but the evidence is not yet clear. Migraine sufferers do show a higher incidence of stokes and heart attacks that for the population at large.

Causes of migraine also vary from individual to individual.
Classically stress, certain food sensitivities (red wine, cheese, chocolate...) and in females, coinciding with the monthly cycle.

Answer 3

i used to get it too, its the weirdest thing, and the like flash of light would make me sick to my stomach. Usually after I would get a full blown migraine. I dont think that "silent migraines" are really that bad, as long as you are not also getting a big migraine after like i was... but 5 to 10 times a day sounds crazy. Maybe you should try switching to a different medication and see if that helps.

Answer 4

When I was younger, I used to get Migraine Headaches all the time, and they affected me in many ways, such as nausea and aches, but I don't believe that my vision was affected by it. If you get migraines, go find a Neurologist and make an appointment. By the way, my trigger was unfortunately, CHOCOLATE.

Answer 5

same cause as a regular migraine, but without the pain. the symptoms (other than pain) are often the same. make an appointment with your neurologist, especially if they are not controlled with your current meds.