"Kaleidoscope eye"

[morgar]

Hi - I am a 58yo male and wear multifocal specs and use computers a lot in my work. For several years I have experienced bouts of a particular disturbance in both eyes at the same time. It starts out as a small prism like effect which gradually spirals in my vision - then after a few minutes it slowly dissipates. The effect really isnt in my eyesight as it is still there when I close my eyes and cannot be blocked out. I sit quietly, avoid light and have a drink of water during the episodes. I dont experience any especial pains such as migraines etc and seem to fully recover. I think it may be related to lack of electrolytes and mild dehydration but would like some guidance onthe possible causes. I know of only one other person who has the same symptoms but hers goes on to be a migraine. Any thoughts please?

[Jamalee50]

I've been having something like kaleidoscope images for a couple of months now. Mine are a partial "wheel of fortune" but in black and white, lasting 10-20 minutes. Always on the left peripheral side of both eyes. No headache after.  I'm 65 and female. I recently had a thorough eye exam and the Dr referred me for a carotid doppler thinking I might be having TIA's. It is scheduled for June 7.

[smokesmist]

i've been experiencing this since an auto accident in 2007, i have no idea what brings it on, but it's impossible to say which eye, because both are affected. open or closed it's there. it's starts out as a little multi colored spot in a random area of my vision that looks like a mosaic window of bright kaleidoscope colors then it opens up slowly and eventually opens all the way up and is gone. while it's happening i have no vision in the area of the colors, and none if it's a complete circle until it opens up enough to get a small window of vision in the center.  I get a dull, thick feeling in my head afterwards. the eye doctor told me in 2007 that it was cramping in the optic nerve due to the concussion that i sustained. I can go weeks with nothing and then it will happen 2 or 3 times in a week.

[HUMONGOUS]

hello all, i came here after googling. i'm experiencing the same symptoms as many above. squiggly kaleidoscope lines that distort my vision. i experience it after an extremely intense session at the gym sometimes. i'm already being treated for high blood pressure and i'm almost sure mine comes on after exerting myself. my blood pressuer likely sky rockets during an intense set, and then the "effects' come on after i leave the gym when i'm presuming my blood pressure drops back down. just posting because i found it somewhat comforting to hear others experiencing the same problem. and just to throw up the possibility that it could be a rapid change in blood pressure that's causing it for some people. for example after sitting at a computer for a long time, and then rising rather quickly. thanks to all for posting. i clearly need to pay more attention to my blood pressure issue. btw i am 45 yo

[JohnHaganMD]

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[REDWORDS1]

hi i was reading storeys at a UFO web site one night in the dark and the letters were in red after trying too read the red words i said holy cow the red words from the site is bothering my eyes! so i turned the computer off and then the ziggy kaleidoscope thing was in my right eye  best i can describe its like if you look at the sun an then close your eyes an still see  it?  it lasted for half hour i was scared it wouldn't go away it did but now i get it evy now and then one time 3 months later sometimes twice in one day?   i keep getting repeats of the ziggy triangle coloured kaleidoscope  it its been 7 years now no change or headaches i think its permanent i really believe its from the red words form computers if its in red dont read it!! its the source i think.

[JohnHaganMD]

Really a strange theory. Sounds like something you read at a UFO web site.

[REDWORDS1]

hi i was reading storeys at a UFO web site one night in the dark and the letters were in red after trying too read the red words i said holy cow the red words from the site is bothering my eyes! so i turned the computer off and then the ziggy kaleidoscope thing was in my right eye  best i can describe its like if you look at the sun an then close your eyes an still see  it?  it lasted for half hour i was scared it wouldn't go away it did but now i get it evy now and then one time 3 months later sometimes twice in one day?   i keep getting repeats of the ziggy triangle coloured kaleidoscope  it its been 7 years now no change or headaches i think its permanent i really believe its from the red words form computers if its in red dont read it!! its the source i think

[Ulumaika]

I see a lot of people with the exact same problem BUT there's no answers to the problem. Does anyone know what causes these? Because I've had them in the past and am having one now but I don't have a headache.

Answers.

I find that my cause is from being in front of a computer screen too long.

[JohnHaganMD]

That is a classical description of eye migraine (often has no headache) but in a small percentage it can be due to diesease of the brain, heart and blood vessels.

Use the search feature, archives and health topics to review the many discussions of ophthalmic migraine.

Then make an appointment with an Eye MD for an exam and to rule out eye migraine or transient ischemic attack.

Migraines tend to get better as a person gets older and around 40 the nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound get better and the migraine becomes mostly seeing visual phenomena especially dark spots and shimmering "rick-rack".

JCH III MD