Why am I seeing auras in my vision? An expert guide

Visual auras are most commonly associated with migraines, affecting up to a third of migraine sufferers. If you've ever asked, Why am I seeing auras in my vision?, it's likely a form of migraine aura, although other, more serious conditions also need to be considered by a healthcare professional.

Quick Summary

Seeing auras is often a symptom of a migraine with aura, a neurological event that causes temporary visual disturbances like zigzag lines, flashing lights, or blind spots, sometimes occurring without a headache. Other potential causes, however, range from eye-related issues to more serious neurological events like a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, warranting medical evaluation, especially if the symptom is new or unusual.

Key Points

• Migraine Connection: The most common reason for seeing auras is a migraine with aura, a neurological event causing temporary visual disturbances.

• Not Always a Headache: An aura can occur without a headache, a condition known as acephalgic migraine, which is more common later in life.

• Warning Signs of Seriousness: Single-eye visual changes, new auras after age 40, or accompanying neurological symptoms like weakness or slurred speech require immediate medical evaluation.

• Distinguishing Features: Migraine auras usually affect both eyes and gradually evolve, unlike stroke symptoms which are typically sudden.

• Trigger Management: Identifying and avoiding triggers like stress, certain foods, or environmental factors can help reduce the frequency of auras.

• Lifestyle Management: Rest, stress reduction, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key strategies for managing migraine-related visual auras.

Understanding the Common Causes of Visual Auras

Visual auras are temporary neurological events causing visual disturbances. While often linked with a headache, they can also appear alone, known as acephalgic migraine. The most frequent cause is a migraine with aura, where altered brain activity affects the visual cortex.

Migraine with Aura

Migraine with aura is the most common cause of visual auras, often starting in the center of vision and spreading outward. Symptoms can include shimmering or jagged zigzag lines, shimmering spots, or temporary blind spots.

• Ocular or Retinal Migraine: A rare, serious condition causing visual symptoms in one eye, such as temporary blind spots, flickering lights, or vision loss. Any single-eye vision changes require prompt medical attention.
• Acephalgic Migraine: An aura without a headache, more common in those over 50 with a history of migraines.

Other Potential Causes

Visual disturbances can stem from conditions other than migraines, some needing urgent medical care.

• Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS): Persistent static-like vision across the entire visual field, often with other symptoms like afterimages and light sensitivity.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or Stroke: TIAs can cause aura-like visual issues, but symptoms are typically sudden and simultaneous, unlike the gradual onset of a migraine aura. Stroke is a medical emergency.
• Retinal Problems: Issues like retinal detachment can cause flashes and floaters, sometimes appearing as a dark curtain over vision.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many auras are migraine-related, some symptoms warrant immediate medical evaluation:

1. First aura experience, especially over age 40.
2. Visual disturbance in only one eye.
3. Aura with neurological signs like slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or a sudden severe headache.
4. Visual disturbance lasting over an hour.

Comparison of Visual Disturbances

A detailed comparison of the features of Migraine with Aura, Retinal Detachment, and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) can be found at {Link: American Migraine Foundation https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/retinal-migraine/}. Key differences include symptom onset, visual symptoms, duration, associated pain, and which eye(s) are affected.

Managing Visual Auras and Identifying Triggers

If auras are migraine-related, management includes lifestyle changes and sometimes medication.

Lifestyle Modifications

Keeping a migraine diary helps identify triggers. Common triggers include:

• Stress and Tiredness: Manage stress with relaxation and consistent sleep.
• Diet: Avoid trigger foods like aged cheese, processed foods, and red wine. Watch caffeine intake.
• Environmental Factors: Bright lights, strong odors, and weather changes can be triggers.

Acute and Preventive Treatments

Treating the short-lived aura can be difficult. While triptans are less effective for aura, they help with the headache phase. NSAIDs treat headache pain. Preventive medications may reduce aura frequency.

• Rest and Relaxation: During an aura, stop activities like driving. Rest in a dark, quiet room with a cool compress.

For authoritative medical advice, consider consulting resources like the American Migraine Foundation [https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/].

Conclusion: Navigating Visual Auras with Knowledge

Visual auras are often transient migraine symptoms. Understanding their characteristics is vital for diagnosis. While many are harmless, new or unusual disturbances need professional evaluation to rule out serious issues. Working with a healthcare provider to find triggers and create a plan can help manage auras.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a visual aura look like?

A visual aura can manifest in various ways, most commonly as a shimmering or jagged zigzag line, often with colors. It may also appear as sparkling lights, shimmering spots, or a blind spot with a flickering edge, known as a scintillating scotoma.

Can I have a migraine aura without a headache?

Yes, this is known as acephalgic migraine, or 'silent migraine.' It involves experiencing the sensory disturbances of an aura without the subsequent headache pain. This is more common in people with a history of migraines, particularly as they age.

Are visual auras in one eye a sign of something serious?

Visual auras that occur in only one eye are a key indicator that the cause may not be a standard migraine with aura. This could suggest a retinal migraine or another, more serious, underlying condition affecting the eye's blood flow. You should consult a doctor right away if this occurs.

What is the difference between a visual aura and visual snow?

A visual aura is a temporary, focal event that usually lasts less than an hour and often precedes a migraine. Visual snow is a constant, persistent disturbance across the entire field of vision, resembling static, and is a separate, chronic neurological condition.

What should I do if I have a visual aura while driving?

If you experience a visual aura while driving, you should pull over immediately to a safe location and wait for the symptoms to subside. Because auras can temporarily impair vision, it is unsafe to drive during an episode.

Can stress cause me to see auras?

Yes, stress is a very common trigger for migraines, including those with visual auras. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and ensuring adequate sleep can help reduce the frequency of aura episodes.

When should I see a doctor about seeing auras?

You should see a doctor if you experience a visual aura for the first time, if your aura symptoms change, or if you develop new neurological symptoms alongside the aura. This is particularly important for individuals over 40 to rule out serious conditions like a stroke.