Question: Sparks of light in field of vision?
Answer:
Full Question:
I have been taking Topamax, working up to 75 mg, for 3 months now as a preventative measure for complex migraines. I have had a number of tests to rule out stroke and heart problems including an MRI, MRA, a TEE, a tilt test. I believe I have basilar type Migraines that give me stroke like symptoms on one side of my body (left) and affect the acuity of my vision temporarily and cause a rush of numbness in my jaw / lips and buzzing down my legs and calves and dizziness all lasting just a few minutes. Since I have been taking the Topamax that has all stopped.
I also have a family history (mother) of classic migraines with aura. I have had a migraine that have affected my acuity in one eye for three days before. But generally these episodes that I am being treated for with Topamax do not come with headache pain at all.
My question is this. Prior to getting any of these episodes of numbness etc, and the reason why I went to the neurologist in the fist place, was that I was, and continue to see sparks of light in my field of vision. I had been seeing the sparks for about a year and a half and ironically, the weekend after I had seen the neurologist is when I had my first episode of numbness etc. The sparks vary enormously and occur seemingly randomly, sometimes none in a day, but some times 20 in a day or more. Sometimes they look like a raindrop on a lens. Some times they look like a very bright tiny spark in my periphery. They are bright enough to cause me to turn and see if I am seeing something real. They happen in the day and night, dark or light. They tend to have a blue hue most of the time, but can look yellow or red or white.
Is this something that needs further investigation? This is something I can certainly live with; however, the recent research I read on About.com about migraine being a progressive brain disease and increasing one’s propensity for stroke it concerns me.
What would you advise? I currently
see a general neurologist. I sincerely appreciate your response. Becky.
Answer:
Dear Becky;
You said you believe you have Basilar-Type Migraines. The logical question from our side is -- Why don't you know if your Migraines are Basilar-Type? What has your doctor said about your belief? If you do have that type of Migraine, it's something you should know because it may, now or in the future, affect your treatment choices.
Yes, the "sparks" you see should be investigated. You said they were the
reason you consulted a neurologist in the first place. What did he say about
them? A thorough examination by an ophthalmologist to rule out any issues with
your eyes couldn't hurt. If there's no problem with your eyes, and your current
neurologist can't explain these sparks, it's time to find a Migraine specialist.
There's a link below to our directory of recommended specialists.
Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz
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Published March 27, 2006
