It is important to understand how human vision works to further understand where problems may arise. It is not uncommon for some people to describe blurred vision or even clouded vision as causing images to seem wavy. At other times wavy or zig-zag lines may surround an isolated spot of distorted vision. This disturbance is known as metamorphopsia. When people complain about wavy lines in their vision, they usually refer to straight lines looking wavy or zig-zagged. This is enabled by a combination of factors involving the eye, nerves and brain. There is a limitation to human vision but well-lit images that are within a reasonable distance should be ‘crisp and clear’. Visual acuity means that images can be seen clearly and are well defined. Wavy lines may be one such cause for concern. However, when vision is disturbed in other ways like clouding, narrowing or even blurring that cannot be corrected with lenses or surgery, we often get concerned about the more serious eye-related problems. We no longer see these vision-related problems as a hindrance. Common vision problems like short-sightedness are easily corrected these days with spectacles, contact lenses or quick and inexpensive laser surgery. What is commonly referred to as an ophthalmic or ocular migraine is actually the aura of a more typical migraine, often without the headache component.Most of us take our vision for granted, as we do with our other senses. If you are labeled as having one of these, be sure that you understand which specific condition applies to you. The terms 'ophthalmic', 'ocular', and 'retinal' migraines are often used interchangeably and sometimes inappropriately. Treatment, including medicines designed to prevent future attacks, is available for frequent ophthalmic migraines, particularly if a headache is a part of the symptom complex. By keeping a journal of your diet and activities it may be possible to identify something that consistently triggers the migraine, offering an opportunity to avoid the precipitating factor. Since they can adversely affect driving or performing certain tasks, it is best to stop these activities and relax during an episode. Is treatment available for ophthalmic migraines? Because they generally are harmless and typically resolve on their own, ophthalmic migraines usually require no treatment.

When should a doctor be consulted? Since it can be difficult for someone who is experiencing unusual visual symptoms for the first time to know whether they are related to a benign or serious condition, it is a good idea to see an eye specialist for evaluation. In contrast to the ophthalmic migraine, the visual symptoms associated with the retinal migraine affects only one eye and can cause temporary blindness. While they can temporarily interfere with activities such as driving or reading, they are not considered to be serious. Characteristically these visual symptoms affect both eyes, last around a half hour and resolve on their own. How serious is an ophthalmic migraine? Often someone with an ophthalmic migraine will have just the visual warning signs or aura of their migraine attack without the headache. In the classic migraine the aura precedes the development of the typical symptoms-one-sided headache, nausea, light sensitivity, etc. Seeing an enlarging blind spot (scotoma) in the center of the visual field.Seeing flashing or flickering lights (scintillations).In the case of ophthalmic migraine, the aura will be visual in nature and may be described as: What is an aura? Some migraines are preceded by sensory warning symptoms called auras. Migraine sufferers have different triggers or precipitating factors for their headaches, such as fatigue, bright lights, weather changes, and others. At one time migraines were thought to be caused by constriction of blood vessels but more recent research involving the use of imaging studies indicates that there may be actual structural changes involving the white matter of the brain. What is a migraine? Migraine is a common neurological disorder usually associated with one-sided, throbbing headache. Today's Health Tip deals with the more common and possibly misnamed ophthalmic or ocular migraine.

This condition is distinguished from a classic migraine in which a headache is a predominant symptom, and the far less common and more serious condition known as a 'retinal migraine'.

Popularly referred to as 'ophthalmic' or 'ocular' migraines, this common condition primarily causes visual symptoms and has the official classification from the International Headache Society of 'ancephalgic migraine with aura.' Ancephalgic means that there is no headache and the term aura refers to the visual symptoms experienced.

Seeing only zigzag lines