What does an ocular migraine aura look like?
These phrases sum up some of the many visual perceptions migraine sufferers may experience. • lightning bolts like jagged “Z” patterns – most common • psychedelic patterns of bright colors • sparkling zigzag lines that rotate • random patterns of curved and straight lines • spider webs in front of the eyes • lattice work, grids, or mini-blinds in front of the eyes • a spiraling tunnel • kaleidoscopes of changing colors and patterns • objects seeming to be larger, smaller, nearer, or farther away • objects seeming to be tilted • double vision – seeing two of everything • stationary objects appearing to move • heat waves or rain falling • picket fences or shooting stars Some people, however, experience the aura but do not have a headache. This visual aura can be very dramatic. Classically, a small blind spot appears in the central vision with a shimmering, zig-zag light inside of it. This enlarges, and moves to one side or the other of the vision, over a 20 to 30 minute period. When it i