It starts out spotty in the center of my vision where I can't focus. Then it is like a clear wave like water running down a window that spreads out and crosses my vision, and it scares the hell out of me too. I am 50 now, and it started when I was 31, just out of nowhere. It sometimes will be dormant for years and then it comes back without warning. I was driving the other day and it started up again after 4 years of nothing. It takes 45 minutes to compete the cycle and then it leaves me with a severe headache for 20 minutes and everything returns to normal again, which of course is a huge relief. I just had it happen again an hour ago. Once in a great while it will happen twice in a day. I wish I could figure out what it is. I looked it up online and found out that I am not the only one with this problem. There are many people who have it. My Eye Doctor can't give me a straight answer to it. Maybe someone on sitcoms has this same issue with the eyes and can give me something on it.

It starts out spotty in the center of my vision where I can't focus. Then it is like a clear wave like water running down a window that spreads out and crosses my vision, and it scares the hell out of me too. I am 50 now, and it started when I was 31, just out of nowhere. It sometimes will be dormant for years and then it comes back without warning. I was driving the other day and it started up again after 4 years of nothing. It takes 45 minutes to compete the cycle and then it leaves me with a severe headache for 20 minutes and everything returns to normal again, which of course is a huge relief. I just had it happen again an hour ago. Once in a great while it will happen twice in a day. I wish I could figure out what it is. I looked it up online and found out that I am not the only one with this problem. There are many people who have it. My Eye Doctor can't give me a straight answer to it. Maybe someone on sitcoms has this same issue with the eyes and can give me something on it.
It sounds like a migraine aura to me. Do the headaches tend to be on one side of the head only? If they are my guess is that you are getting migraines. My first aura started as a blury dot and then it got bigger until it was this flashing moon shape. Totally freaked me out also. Now though it's just a sign that I need to take my prescription.

Thank you sara. I finally, after hours of online research, think I found the answer and it's is exactly as you said. "Ocular Migraine Aura" It happened again just 2 hours ago. I think it has something to do with too much light. But it will go away after an hour. Also it doesn't always leave headaches. I didn't get one today. I have had 3 episodes in 2 weeks so far. The funny thing is, it goes away for years and then comes back unannounced. Sometimes it happens once then not again for years. Then sometimes, it happens several times then goes away for a long time. It is so weird. Imagine how I felt the 1st time it ever happened. I freaked and thought I was going blind. I know now that it's not dangerous. It's just annoying. I freaked out about it the other day, but today I remained calm and just let it run its course. I don't think there is anything that can be done about it. but maybe like what your doing. Take medication, or watch the diet.

Wow, that's not pleasant. Hopefully they will stop. Sorry to hear your eye doctor can't tell you for sure what it is. Maybe another eye doctor could? Do you see 'spots' or 'floaters'? When someone takes a picture that I'm in the flash from the camera causes me to see 'spots' / 'floaters' or if I look at a bright light. I get sinus headaches from time to time and they are terrible!

Thank you sara. I finally, after hours of online research, think I found the answer and it's is exactly as you said. "Ocular Migraine Aura" It happened again just 2 hours ago. I think it has something to do with too much light. But it will go away after an hour. Also it doesn't always leave headaches. I didn't get one today. I have had 3 episodes in 2 weeks so far. The funny thing is, it goes away for years and then comes back unannounced. Sometimes it happens once then not again for years. Then sometimes, it happens several times then goes away for a long time. It is so weird. Imagine how I felt the 1st time it ever happened. I freaked and thought I was going blind. I know now that it's not dangerous. It's just annoying. I freaked out about it the other day, but today I remained calm and just let it run its course. I don't think there is anything that can be done about it. but maybe like what your doing. Take medication, or watch the diet. Yes I have had this eye problem. I had it first in my early 20's and thought too I was going blind. I was so timid and nervous in my 20's. Doctor then told me it was drippage behind the retina and it would go away in a week. It did and I didn't have the problem again till maybe 10 years ago. Again lasted only a few days. Then last october of 2012 it came again and lasted a good 4 months. I worked around it. As you say, like looking through a rainy window. I went to eye doctor and many times you get there and the problem you have isn't with you at the time. She asked me questions to many I said NO. Felt it wasn't serious. Went to another doctor and by this time for about 2 weeks didn't have any recurrence. Now about 2 months after the last spell, I haven't had it at all. It was toughest when reading a newspaper or book. This past time only had it in one eye.

I know what you mean coffee, I deliver freight all over the country and when it happens to me while driving, I have to pull over and let it run its course. Then I can go again. Doesn't scare me so much now. It's as I said. Just annoying is all. If I stare at a light too long it will start to happen. Lately though, it has not been as bad. Its been lasting only 15 minutes. It used to last 45 minutes. Maybe sometimes its less severe than others.

I 'm sorry Jenny I didn't answer your question. Hope it's not too late. No I don't see floaters. But it is spotty when I take a picture. Takes awhile to go away when that happens. I do have permanent floaters, but have had those my whole life. Those are also caused by a fluid leak in the eye. And BTW. I have not had an incident of this "Ocular Migraine Aura" in a pretty long time now.

Flying Dutchman. Wow I can imagine how scary this must be. Esp. if you are driving. And to have headaches too. That is a shame for you to be in pain. You really need to get on your doctor to find out what is wrong. Regular Dr. and an eye Dr. too!

I did. There is not much she can do until the problem occurs again. Then she can run some tests. She believe it may be do to a fluid leak behind the eye. But I have not had the problem in awhile. And if not ever happening again means I won't get the problem located, then problem sill solved.