Good for flushing out the system then aye 
1 Like
Iāve had this phenomenon for some years, not sure whether I had it prestroke but have visits from it quite often. It has been explained as a headache which seems realistic. It doesnt interfere with my vision and at its worse is only a nuisance. It gets bigger and bigger and eventually just vanishes. Its impossible to forecast.
This picture is the nearest I can get to describing it.
Deigh
3 Likes
OK thanks for the info. Mine are similar and quite random. Other than always just after I wake in the morning.
2 Likes
I would get migraine aura about a couple of times a month prior to mild stroke. Found a couple of paracetamol would dsperse them a little quicker.
2 Likes
Itās not until you have this happen that you find out how common it is. Iāve had migraine auras since my mid 20ās and Iām 73 now. They have always varied in frequency and intensity, but each episode is usually over in about 25 minutes. I donāt get headache pain with them and theyāve become more of an incovenience than a worry.
I had my stroke on first of June 2023 and since then Iāve had just one of them. It bothered me when it came on because I wondered if it was going to be worse but it was pretty much the same as all the others Iāve ever had. My ischemic stroke was caused by stenosis of the right carotid and Iāve never heard of that being associated with migraine auras. Actually this latest attack came well after my endarterectomy so itās unlikey to be connected. There are various theories what they are but the truth is that nobody knows for sure. Mine are usually triggered by bright or flashing lights.
Your graphic is rather interesting @Deigh
I had migraine auras through my 50s not before and not since my stroke.
Mine were zig-zaggy a bit like you have illustrated but always in black and white !
They started as a spot normally near the centre of my vision and elongated into a drifting ribbon that never turned back on itself in the way your c letter shape does. In fact now while I think about it they generally went from top right to bottom left .
Mine also lasted less than half an hour I think generally 20 minutes.
Quite often though weāre co-incident with a reduction of vision right in the centre of my vision. Mine would never accompanied by pain of any sort either.
Caio
Simon
2 Likes
Thanks for your input. The PC screen seems to be a trigger. Currently mine are decreasing in frequency and duration. None at all yesterday!
3 Likes
Great news, Yes, the PC screen triggered mine last week. I usually reach for the dark glasses until itās passed.
1 Like
Hi Simon, The drifting ribbon of flashing jagged lights is also what I get, following on from an intitial blank spot in the centre. Interesting that your flashes come in black and white, mine are always blues, yellows, reds.
2 Likes
That is similar to what happens to me. I describe it as a kaleidoscope. Even when I close my eyes and sit in darkness it is still there.
One of my major triggers is bright sunshine. Sunglasses (polarising) are essential for me on a bright day.
2 Likes
That is always the first thing to happen. a āholeā in my vision, then I know it will be about 5 minutes until itās full on. . I say āFlash Attackā if my wife is there so she knows whatās happening. Well, actually it usually has an āfā word as a prefix. 
4 Likes
Thats interesting, you had them before your stroke and not since, my experience is the opposite.
the picture I added to my report I downloaded from the internet and is not exactly like the ones I experience, Mine are square multi coloured boxes but I didnt think think the shape mattered, just the fact that the apparition exists.
Incidentally, itās still there even when I close my eyes!
Deigh
2 Likes
I agree the shape doesnāt matter in one regard, I wonder whether it is indicative of anything that we donāt understand?. And I would expect that it is there when your eyes were closed because itās neurological effect not a visual one.
Since my stroke Iāve read a little bit more about them. Before the stroke I read the visual aura are not unusual and lasted 20 minutes. So I was content .
Since my stroke Iāve read that optical strokes are an early warning sign and have these sorts of symptoms so I suspect there are two effects with different causes. one of which is and one of which isnāt so significant - I havenāt seen any published research around this (but I havenāt looked terribly hard) sounds like itās PhD thesis territory for a student somewhere
2 Likes
Hi I had a headache at the back of my eye then woke up with blurry vision Hemonopia left half of each eye missing, due to 100% blocked right cartroid artery. Doctors said Too risky to unblock. Post stroke, and three years on, I have had very real hallucinations faces morphing into different people etcā¦and changes in what I see and the colours I see change too, itās like different filters over the top of my vision, then it settles Again. consultants said itās the brain playing tricks, unfortunately I am unable to drive but hope one day I can. I tried Nova Vision for the first year a type of light therapy you can buy, think it helped a little with the visual field but not hallucinations colours or shapes.
1 Like
Now I recall visual migraines in the weeks prior to my stroke they were like jagged flashing lights in the corner of my eye again have had none since would have been nice to know it was a warning sign.
Thanks to all who have made me welcome now off to read some more experiences good luck to you all
wattsy
2 Likes
These are like mine so wonderful to read so many of us have these funny eye auras.
Mine used to be accompanied by headaches not in recent years.
I thought the increase in frequency (several a month sometimes 4 a day) was due to hormones being a female of a certain age.
Thanks everyone.
The picture was spot on although mine is almost clear no colour and jiggles a bit.
3 Likes
@Mabel1 I donāt t link my migraine auras with my stroke at all. Iām not saying itās the same for everyone and maybe some people do have a definite link. My auras began when I was fit and in my mid 20s. They used to be much more frequent into my 40s and 50s. I had my stroke almost a year ago at 72. Since then Iāve had maybe 2 or 3 but I havenāt had one now for several months. They were exactly the same as they have always been. So there is no pattern to suggest they have anything to do with my stroke. Just saying that unless they bother you a lot donāt worry about them. If your actual vision deteriorates or needs attention then it would be worth mentioning them to your doctor or optometrist.
Best wishes.
3 Likes
Thank you for your kind reply @Strings
I donāt think Iām over worried, but genuinely think ātheyā reckon having migraines with arura increases your likihood of having stroke. I havenāt been allowed to have HRT because of them nor the contraceptive pill when I was younger. The reason given was an increased risk of a stroke for the HRT. Or Risk of DVT, I think for the pill, but that was so long ago I canāt remember too well!
Thanks again
Toni x
3 Likes