Question

Hi mamas- I just had a weird ocular episode. I saw flashing lights like a kaleidoscope in my left eye. It was extremely distracting and the flashing lights/kaleidoscope was in the shape of a C. It lasted 30 mins, it just went always Anyone experience this before?  

Answer 1

If it continues I highly suggest seeing an ophthalmologist right away could be retinal related as well

Answer 2

Optic migraine?  

Answer 3

I have that with my migraines

Comments

@mayramays24272 I don’t have a headache though and I’ve never had a migraine before. does the flashing happen before the migraine?  

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Sometimes I don’t have the headache. Just the lights.  

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Maybe get in with a neurologist.  

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@mayramays24272 me too

Answer 4

Not to worry you, but that is considered an optic migraine. They can cause strokes. You may want to call your doctor.  

Answer 5

Could it be aura? I get it sometimes. Migraine related but I don’t usually get a bad headache.  

Answer 6

Its an ocular migraine

Answer 7

My eye doctor said to call immediately if I ever see flashes like that.  

Comments

@eugenieeugenio same

Answer 8

I had this when I was on birth control. I would get a migraine when my vision would clear up. My doctor took me off of it bc she said it can be dangerous bc that can be a sign of an oncoming stroke. I don’t mean to scare you, I’m sure other things can bring them on, but if you’re on birth control, I’d contact your doctor.  

Comments

@broadbrim5914 happened to a friend of mine

Answer 9

Orbital migraines. that’s how mine starts and often times blurs my vision. After it goes away, I get a bad headache.  

Answer 10

I get these. My dr said it’s a migraine and no big deal

Answer 11

I had that before! It’s scary and you have to keep your eyes closed for a good 20 minutes! Following.  

Answer 12

I’ve had one before. An ocular migraine. No pain at all. Just flashing lights and colors. I had an MRI just to be sure it wasn’t something more serious.  

Answer 13

You should see an eye doctor! Don’t put that off. My mother has macular and was told any flash of light should be reported asap.  

Answer 14

Optic migraine. I get them. No pain. No headache. Either close my eyes or sit in a dark room for 10-20 minutes and it clears. Have seen ophthalmologist and family physician. Both said not to be concerned.  

Answer 15

Yep. It could be an ocular migraine. I also had multiple episodes and they said it was from a stressed retina. It was stretching. I have a ton of floaters because of it now, too. If you see like huge flashes of light (like headlights coming up to you), I would call an eye doctor. As scary as it sounds, I have learned that it is not an immediate issue meaning you don’t have to rush to an Er.  

Answer 16

Optic migraine might want to call a doctor

Answer 17

Migraine maybe? That's how mine start. But, I would definitely be aware of it.  

Answer 18

Ocular Migranes- I’ve had a couple. My husband goes through phases of them . Usually get a mild headache after.  

Answer 19

Migraine but get checked at eye doctor just to b surr

Answer 20

Yes ocular migraine. Usually mine go away with eyes closed and laying down for an hour. I would probably check In With your so doctor. Sometimes my Vision feels like I am cross eyed. Definitely scary when it happens but these are medications that will help when you feel one coming on

Answer 21

Occular migraine - had my retinas examined and I was fine. They usually go away within 30 minutes

Answer 22

It’s an aura from an ocular migraine. Super scary when it happens for the first time, but not always cause for alarm. You can call an eye doctor, but I had to be diagnosed by a neurologist. You describe it perfectly though- usually doesn’t last longer than 30 minutes.  

Comments

Same for me—had a couple out of the blue maybe ten years ago, none since. It freaked me out, and yes it was like I was looking through a prism or kaleidoscope, and I kept checking my contacts. Called optometrist and they said it was an ocular migraine, but they said it was not necessarily cause for any alarm if they went away soonish. Odd as I don’t have issues with migraine headaches. best wishes

Answer 23

I had that twice now. I went to my eye doctor the first time. She checked me for stroke and said it was an optical migraine. When I get migraines, I get light sensitivity. But this was a weird zig-zag pattern that was kind of kaleidoscope, so I was freaked out. Last hours, ended up getting an actual headache after they stopped. So I would guess optical migraine, but obviously you would go check with your eye doctor. Mine started taking video calls. Maybe yours will too?  

Answer 24

My migraines come on like that sometimes.  

Comments

@locklear samer

Answer 25

I had something similar and thought it was “silent” migraine. Ended up being central serous retinopathy which is caused by taking steroids or from stress - but see an eye dr to know for sure, eyes are precious

Answer 26

Look I to T. I. A. s. My mom had that at 35. Just to make sure. Good luck!  

Answer 27

I get that. For me, it is eye strain and signifies an oncoming migraine. It's how I learned I needed glasses.  

Answer 28

Ocular migraine. Do you by chance drink carbonated Bai drinks? I had these and once I stopped drinking those, the ocular migraines stopped. I never got headaches, just the aura.  

Answer 29

For migraines try higher protein keep food log migraine cookbook CBD oil and craniosacral massage by Roxanne Garcia

Answer 30

Can be very common, but scary for the first time. My eye doctor told me that it lasts for about 20-30 min and you may or may not get an actual migraine. Most times I don’t, but I think I had an actual migraine only once.  

Answer 31

Ocular migraine, make sure you keep hydrated, when it happens to me I usually haven't kept up on my water intake for the day, chug some water and know it's going to go away within a half HR. If it lasts long, then i would be concerned. Mine got worse when I got pregnant so I try to make sure I'm hydrated

Comments

@flavescent same exact situation for me too.  

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@eleanor I hate them!  

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@flavescent the worst. after years of getting them I also determined stress and chocolate were triggers.  

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@flavescent I agree. I've had them too, usually due to dehydration. I learned that if I take an Excedrin right away it doesn't escalate into a full blown migraine headache.  

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@guntar it's probably because we are always on the go with our jobs and forget to hydrate lol!  

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@flavescent Yes!  

Answer 32

Ocular migraine

Answer 33

I get that at the onset of a migraine

Answer 34

Ocular migraine

Answer 35

Ocular migraine. Yep, many times. But usually the vision issue doesn’t last more than 5 or so minutes for me.  

Answer 36

I get that right before a migraine

Answer 37

I had this through out my childhood . A flash of light and one side headache which last for a while and things gets better after I throw up . It was diagnosed as migraine for me

Answer 38

Just had a similar kaleidoscope experience in my right eye for the first time last Sunday. Lasted half an hour. Saw an ophthalmologist on Monday. Diagnosed as an ocular migraine. Comes from the vision center of the brain. Was suggested not to worry. Your eye doctor might provide you with some validation, information and comfort.  

Answer 39

Ocular migraine

Answer 40

Have had it. Not for awhile. Scary I know. 18 years later still here. Not often now

Answer 41

I get that before a migraine for about 30 minutes. It’s called an aura. It can sometimes fill my entire field of vision. Did you get a bad headache afterwards?  

Comments

Me too  

Answer 42

Dehydrated! Drink minerals ( Himalayan salt)

Answer 43

Yes I've had the lights appear. its scary but not to worry. Just go on a dark room and lay down. Then it goes away.  

Answer 44

Any headache ? That happened to me before a migraine

Answer 45

Sounds like an Aura, something I get before a bad migraine.  

Answer 46

Ocular migraine most likely. I’ve had something like this before and my Opthalmologist told me what it was.  

Answer 47

Ocular migraine. Mine usually come before a bad migraine. Only had them maybe 3 times. But the first time I had them for a few days and on the day before the terrible headache came on, I lost my peripheral vision completely. It was very scary. I was in my early 20’s. Then the next one I had happened later 20’s. Haven’t had any since. They are very strange.  

Answer 48

I get an aura before I get a migraine. It's a warning for me to get caffeine in me and some Excedrin migraine. ☹️

Answer 49

Yes- I get ocular migraines. The flashing lasts for 20-60 minutes. I get a headache after but nothing severe. For me the worst part is the vision. I have learned to know when they are coming, I take ibuprofen and can usually avoid them.  

Comments

@bearden9 exactly the same for me as well! The first time I had one was about 13 years ago and I was at work. I swore something was very wrong, and I went to the ER. ibuprofen works the best for me, and the vision is what also really bothers me, more so than the headache I get after. Very scary initially though.  

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@criticaster80 yes! I remember it happened my first time years ago and I was teaching. I was so scared and I think had a panic attack bc I thought Something was very wrong. I had to go sit in the principals office and then he drove me home. Lol. Now I’ve learned the vision signs- and if I take the ibuprofen I can usually stop or weaken them. I have realized mine are more hormone related.  

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When I was at the ER for mine the first time () I also learned large changes in the barometric pressure can bring them on as well. I also do the same thing with the ibuprofen. I can tell really early on that it’s starting. It’s the weirdest thing ever. Good to know about it being hormone related as well. I’ve had more in the last two years than in like the past 8 years combined, and I think mine are due to stress and hormone changes for sure!  

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@criticaster80 yes! Mine too- once I started keeping track it was always the same time every month. My friends joke with me because the first thing I notice is my arms appear long/awkward- lol. I know right away- a. Migraine is coming.  

Answer 50

So I have had this twice, both turned into a “complex migraine”, but I had no headache/migraine pain. My ride side of my body went numb and I couldn’t spell or say words. It was extremely scary, but would have been less so if I had known what it was beforehand.  

Answer 51

Any flashes of light it is recommended you see an optometrist asap

Answer 52

Ophthalmologist pronto!  

Answer 53

Optical migraine. Had one years ago

Answer 54

@calderon I am an optometrist and would be more than happy to answer any questions for you through a message or phone call if you don’t have an optometrist yet. Everyone here has had valid points!  

Answer 55

Eye migraine. often hormone related (not fun, but they do pass)

Answer 56

Ocular migraine my fiancé gets them

Answer 57

My husband gets them a lot. Eye migraines. His are usually caused from stress.  

Answer 58

Yes! They’re very scary. I got these when I was pregnant and it turned out to be extreme preeclampsia (HELLP syndrome). If you’re pregnant, please call your doc ASAP!  

Answer 59

My migraines start like that

Answer 60

Not sure the name other than what everyone’s said of optical migraine. But i close my eyes and soak in the “kaleidoscope view” if I don’t have a head ache, and if I do I breathe and focus so it distracts me from the headache. I’ve never researched why they happen. But I enjoy the pretty auras. They have often come w stress.  

Answer 61

Migraine aura

Answer 62

I’ve had it. Very colorful very intricate shapes flashing on and on and traveling towards the right. It was explained to me as a silent migraine. I also get the noisy kind too. You know. The painful incapacitating ones.  

Answer 63

Thank you so much everyone! I’m not gonna lie, I freaked out so bad and google only made it worse  I had only a very minor headache afterwards so I’m hoping that it’s just that and nothing worse! I appreciate you all! ❤️❤️❤️

Comments

@calderon just saw this! I had an occular migraine a few years ago. Scariest thing ever, I actually went to the ER because it effected my whole vision.  

Answer 64

That is a ocular migraine and they are the worst. Try and rest and little to no light.  

Answer 65

Powdered magnesium will help you if this persists. Google visual aura migraine and magnesium.  

Answer 66

I get those too. It’s the aura before a migraine but I never get migraines. You have to let it pass through your fields of vision. Almost like it’s moving from left to right (for me at least) until it’s gone. Started when I was 26. Doesn’t happen too often but usually when there’s a lot of stress. Hope you’re ok now.  

Comments

@brueghel O'@jews5462 wow how bizarre!  

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@brueghel O'@jews5462 look up ocular migraines. bet that is what is going on for you.  

Answer 67

Omg! I’ve had three of these since the fall and had NO IDEA what they were called! My dad gets them too! I feel so much better know that others get them and that it has a name. So scary the first time it happened to me. Thanks for positing and for the comments!  

Answer 68

Call your optimologist

Answer 69

Could be an ocular migraine, did you have a headache as well?  

Answer 70

Ocular migraine. I get these occasionally.  

Answer 71

@calderon if they keep recurring, PLEASE call your eye doctor. I had something similar but it repeated multiple times a day over a few days and my eye doctor was very concerned. Had me come in right away as that can be a symptom of your retina detaching (which equals blindness in that eye). It isn't something to mess with. I am lucky that mine wasn't. And many of the above comments could very well be what it is. But if it keeps happening, call the eye doc.  

Comments

@chud11005 Larsen yes! Any changes in vision like flashes, bursts of those little “floaters”, and similar things are definitely bad and require a call to the eye doctor ASAP!  

Answer 72

Migraine. Rest up. Maybe with an eye mask.  

Answer 73

I’ve experience it recently super annoying and super scary! Ocular migraine just relax and rub your temples

Answer 74

If you have any blockage of vision or sudden increase of floaters see your eye doc immediately!  

Answer 75

Yes mine follows a bad migraine 30min later! I have to use prescription migraine med to cure it. It usually happens during changes in weather. So I get it like 1 x every few tempests usually. Thank goodness

Comments

But I think it’s also stress induced bc I just had one few wks ago, Goodluck

Answer 76

I think you’re describing the same thing I get. It’s called an aura and it’s what people get prior to a migraine. However I never get the migraine. It’s pretty common. However, flashing lights can also be a sign of a torn retina which can be serious. My husband is an ophthalmologist so I know just a bit about these things. If it continues might want to follow up with an ophthalmologist.  

Answer 77

You need to call your optomologist and not look for FB advice for something like this I'm not even going to go into what happened with me It's your eyesight call your dr.  

Comments

@raspberry it’s a migraine. Simple.  

Answer 78

My ophthalmologist Multack Eye Care, S. C is doing telemedicine visits - and you should probably reach out to a doctor

Answer 79

Yes I have those and it’s always the start of a bad headache. Could be ocular migraine

Answer 80

Migraine on the way