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For a total of 10 minutes I started to lose vision in my left

Answered by:Doctor DanB
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Positive Feedback: 98.9 %
Accepted Answers: 2593

in Eye

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Customer Question

For a total of 10 minutes I started to lose vision in my left eye. It wasn't black spots it was more like what I was looking at was just missing a section. If I looked in a mirror and stared directly at the tip of my nose I couldn't see my left eye or eye brow and part of forehead. If I closed either eye it was still the same. If I stared at the wall I would see "waves". Hard to describe sorry. I have a slight headache (level 2) I worked out about an hour before. Once I drank water it seemed to get better. What happened?

Optional Information:
Person's Gender: Female
Person's Age: 29

Already Tried:
Drank water

Submitted: 305 days and 8 hours ago.

Category: Eye

Value: $33

Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

Expert: Doctor DanB replied 305 days and 8 hours ago.

Doctor DanB : Hello and thanks for your question. Are you available to chat?

Doctor DanB : I think this represents a migraine. A typical migraine starts with an abnormal “light show” which sometimes is described as shimmering or zig-zag lights, which can sometimes surround a blurry area of the vision. They tend to progressively increase in intensity and sometimes march across the visual field. Many times this is then accompanied by nausea, irritability, sensitivity to bright lights and/or loud noises, but everyone's pattern is different; some people don't have any of these other symptoms. After the onset of the lights (called scintillating scotomas), a headache (and/or possibly eye pain) typically starts and the light show tends to progressively go away. The visual phenomenon that people experience with migraines do vary from person to person but often involve blurry vision with a lighted phenomenon; many people describe them as shimmering, but most consistently is an abnormal lighted visual phenomenon which is sometimes associated with blurring or hazy vision. One of the hallmarks of a person with a typical migraine headache is their need to abandon all activity in favor of a quiet, dark room where they can sleep off the headache. One of the less commonly known features of migraines is that many persons can have this visual migraine phenomenon without actually having headache; this is called an acephalgic migraine. The spectrum of severity of headaches among migraine sufferers runs the gamut from no headache to severe, debilitating headaches. There tend to be many varied triggers for migraines, but some of the most common are chocolate, wine and cheese, stress, overuse of the eyes, and exposure to fluorescent lighting. Many people find that over-the-counter migraine preparations such as Excedrin-migraine work well. The common theme among these preparations is the ingredient of caffeine. There are prescription medicines that can be taken on a daily basis to help prevent them (if they become frequent enough to alter your life) and there are also medicines that can be taken on an as needed basis to help abort the headaches once they start. Most primary care doctors feel comfortable prescribing these, but if not, a neurologist would be a good place to start. If you are having other symptoms such as loss of vision in one eye, double vision, difficulty talking or swallowing, or are experiening numbness or weakness in any specific part of the body, these are symptoms which are not normal for migraines and you should see either your primary care doctor or an emergency room doctor as soon as possible.

Doctor DanB : Does this make sense? Does this information help address your concerns? Do you have any other concerns or questions about this topic?It appears as though you are not in the chat room currently. I am happy to be able to help you today. I will also be happy to answer any other questions until you have the information you need. If you would like to ask further questions or clarification regarding anything I've said, please let me know and I will be happy to address your concerns. Your feedback is important to me and will help me improve my encounter with future customers. If at any time you feel this process has been helpful, please rate your encounter with me by providing feedback; any positive feedback and/or bonus you may feel prompted to provide would be welcomed and is appreciated. This does not end our conversation, however-we can continue to discuss any of your concerns without further charges until you are satisfied. My opinion is solely informative and does not constitute a formal medical opinion or recommendation. For a formal medical opinion and/or recommendation you must see an eye doctor. Thanks for your inquiry!

Doctor DanB : Does that make sense?

Customer : yes thank you. My first guess was a migrain but I've never had one and the headache has stayed at a 2 this whole time.

Doctor DanB : Not uncommon to have a mild headache. Thankfully in your case!

Doctor DanB : Do you have any other concerns or questions about this topic?

Customer : Nope, just wanted to make sure I wasnt having a stroke. Lol thank you

Doctor DanB : My pleasure. Your feedback is important to me and will help me improve my encounter with future customers. If at any time you feel this process has been helpful, please rate your encounter with me by providing feedback; any positive feedback and/or bonus you may feel prompted to provide would be welcomed and is appreciated.

Expert Type	Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Category:	Eye
Pos. Feedback:	98.9 %
Accepts:	2593
Answered:	6/23/2012

Experience: and eye surgeon experienced in cataracts, glaucoma, retina & neuro-ophthalmology

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