I am a 33yr old and last night I had just put my son to bed and I went to get a bite to eat when I saw something following me. It was me. I mean I was trailing… similar to when you see a runner in a photo and you see his trail? Like that. My hands were doing it everything that moved was doing it. I couldn’t tell where the real thing was everything was tripled. I sat down and became really nauseous so I went to bed, this morning when I woke up I thought it would be gone because I assumed it was an Ocular Migraine which I have had just never like this. But this morning every time I blinked it was like strobe lights were on. Then it would stop until I blinked again. That has eased as I lay down but I have had a dull headache periodically and been really sick to my stomach. Now there seems to be a slight haze over everything as if someone has put a very thin white veil over my eyes. Could this all be an Ocular Migraine that is just lingering? I took 3 ibuprofens and dont have pain really just this annoying eye stuff. Please help, my dad died of an aneurysm and it makes me nervous

Answered by: Maria/ MD Health.com Team

Ocular migraine is characterized by visual disturbances which could be in form of visual hallucinations such as sparks, flashes of light, zigzagging patterns or visual field impairment. The symptoms of ocular migraines vary from person to person, some experience nausea and vomiting while others don’t. Ocular migraine is usually, but not always painless, however its symptoms may interfere with activities of daily living. Its exact cause is unknown but predisposing factors have been identified. There are people who experience symptoms after consumption of certain foods such as chocolates , nuts, shellfish and food items that contain artificial sweetener. In some patients attacks are triggered by stress, exposure to sunlight and hunger.

The onset of ocular migraine episodes vary. It is possible to experience several occurrences within a short interval of time, or there could be absence of attacks for months or years before the onset of additional episodes. Strange visual symptoms and regular headaches should prompt you to seek medical attention. Your doctor’s evaluation is necessary to confirm whether your symptoms are associated with ocular migraine.

Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light experienced by patients with ruptured aneurysm, these symptoms may be immediately followed by changes in mental status that can range from confusion to coma. In unruptured aneurysm, visual field defects manifest differently: the patient is unable see objects that are in the direction where he or she is looking. It is also accompanied by other symptoms such as pain behind the eye and dilated pupil. Additionally, pain will depend on the location of the aneurysm, it could be on the temple or back of the skull. Causes of aneurysm include high blood pressure, infection, tumors, atherosclerosis-build up of fat in artery walls, and other diseases of the vascular system, cigarette smoking, and drug abuse. If you fear that you have a risk of developing aneurysm, then you should discuss it with your physician.