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Scotoma/Flashes

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Fibromyalgia
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Ashleh
New Member
Joined : Apr 2021
Posts : 1
Posted 4/22/2021 4:18 PM (GMT -6)
Hello, for a week I have had a scotoma in my lower peripheral and a flash across my vision in certain light. I went to 2 different opthomologist and one said I have macular edema and the other said cotton wool spot. Both said it would resolve on its own in a couple of weeks. Has anyone had the same symptoms as me? I find daytime outside my eyes are better and worse under flourecent lights, tnays when the flash gets worse. I do have high anxiety and probably is making it worse. Im just so scared of not seeing well
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Sherrine
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 18412
Posted 4/23/2021 6:36 AM (GMT -6)
Hi, Ashleh, and welcome! I’m not sure why you posted on the fibromyalgia forum. You need a vision forum to get a good response. But I will try to help you because this is probably frightening.

I had to Google some of the “diagnosis” that you received because I had never heard of them...like cotton wool spot. What I found out was these manifestations can be caused by certain illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes. If you haven’t already, I would suggest you see your primary care doctor and be checked out...especially for diabetes. Many people have this illness and don’t know it.

Any doctor you see should be board certified and that includes your ophthalmologist. They have had more education and I believe the certification has to be renewed every ten years. I mention this because, from what you posted, you were only given a diagnosis but no suggestions as to how you can help yourself.

I had “lightening flashes” in my vision. It was zig zag and I had no idea what was going on and was totally frightened. I called my doctor and they said I was having what he called a silent migraine. They are sometimes called an ocular migraine. I had absolutely no headache so I would never have thought of that. My doctor told me to lie down and put a cold wet washcloth over my eyes for about twenty minutes. Even with my eyes closed I could still see the zig zag lines but they did go away in a few minutes. This actually happened to me several times. Then I found out I was diabetic and once I got my blood sugar under control, I haven’t had a problem since.

Some symptoms of silent migraines are blurry vision, light sensitivity, vision loss, seeing zig zag lines or squiggly lines, numbness, tingling, weakness and confusion. I only had the zig zag lines. And I did read that they usually will go away on their own but you should just be checked out to make sure there is no underlying cause that has triggered this.

Just try to relax. Stress and anxiety can bring on silent migraines...if this is what you are getting. Other triggers are odors, noises, bright lights, fermented foods, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, barometric changes, chemical preservatives or colors or flavorings, eye strain, sinus problems or neck problems, and of course stress. In my case, I believe my high blood sugar caused them.

I hope this gives you some food for thought. Just get a good physical and make sure there is nothing physical causing these vision manifestations. Do let us know how you are doing.

Sherrine


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