


Even if there is no identifiable area of visual loss, the disturbance of vision created by the scintillating scotoma may make reading and driving difficult. On occasion, this is preceded or followed by a spreading zone of visual loss. The arc of light gradually enlarges, becomes more obvious, and may take the form of a definite zig-zag pattern. It usually begins as a shimmering arc of white or colored lights. 'Scintillating' means 'sparkling flashes' and 'scotoma' means 'a non-seeing area'. The most common visual aura in the prodromal phase is the scintillating scotoma. Read Managing Migraines for treatment of migraines. Several visual symptoms appear during the prodromal phase of migraine. Classic migraine has three distinct phases: a prodromal phase, a headache phase, and a resolution phase. Migraines are more prevalent in the 25 to 44 years age group, with females being affected 2.5 times more frequently than males. Ok one more cause this guy described it better as a point that would grow with the colorful zig zag line around the border. Intervention and treatment can help prevent permanent and significant damage. Examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist may determine if further referral or trea tment is indicated. These include: hypertensio n (high blood pressure), arteriosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"), sickle cell disease, impending heart attack or stroke, and other serious conditions. Very often these are warning signs which relate to not only eye problems, but other systemic pathology and disease. It is always wise to consult with an eye doctor when visual disturbances indicate a potentially serious problem. The visual field disturbances are more clearly areas of gray or dark blind spots.Īny flashing light or visual disturbance that lasts more than twenty to forty minutes is considered an ocular emergency and requires immediate medical attention. On the other hand, the visual field effects caused by embolisms and retinal detachment related flashes don't stop and often become increasingly more noticeable with time. It is often, but not always followed by the typical migraine headache and nausea. There can be visual field disturbances such as zig-zag, shimmering or wavering images. The difference between ophthalmic migraine and the more serious embolism event and retinal detachment is that the visual disturbances associated with migraine transient ischemia always resolve within a few minutes, and almost never more than about twenty minutes (rare ly up to 40 minutes). It also may be caused by a spasmodic constriction of a small vessel similar to what occurs during migraine. The blockage can occur as a result of a clot or embolus lodged in the vessel. Transient ischemia is the blockage of an artery (actually arteriole, a smaller b ranch vessel) supplying a part of the retina. This event may occur from traction on the retina from PVD (see above) or a loss of blood supply to the neurological tissue, such as in transient ischemia or retinal detachment. The phenomena has one root cause: non-optical stimulation of the retinal photoreceptors. Flashes of light: These apparent bursts of light can be small, bright pin-point objects, sparkles, zig-zag patterns or even appear like a lightning storm.
