Just to reassure you, it was my first reaction some time in 1988. I was help my Director FInance with the company’s Annual results and my support became a hinderance when the numbers became haywire. The bouts hit me more often than expected and had to compell myself to rest at home. Gradually, I started feeling and gaining a heads up on this “dreadful” intrusion to your normal work or life. Today, as stated in my previous post dated April 22, 2010 at 4:20 am, got myself to stay fit and refrain from deviations. It helps.

I am Murali. I will turn 51 this May. The last time wrote was on January 14, 2009 at 12:31 am. For a long time since I did not experience it. Right now as I am writing this note its happening. My feeling is a procket wheel type of flash starting like a small spark and then growing larger. The visual sensation is still persistant, it marginally disturbs work. I had the sensation first appearing on my left vision and now its happening to my right vision. The feeling in the head after this I guess will be the usual heaviness and lingering ache. In all earlier instances, I felt very disturbed and disgusted. The more I read and talk about it I am able to gain control over the Ophthalmic Migraine. Just to let friends know last evening was a minor celebration and I chose a couple of beer after a long layoff from any for of alchol(not that I am addicted, just a mild social participant or business meetings). I am a non smoker now and pretty watchful on my diet. I used to exercise regularly, say do a 6 KM walk and jog every day. Post an accident that left three of my ribs fractured, I have been adwised to put of any such exercises for 3 months. But it is clear that when you shift good routine and put stress on yourself these Ophthalmic Migraines recur more often.

The auras are very unpredictable but I have associated them with possible dehydration, a night of poor sleep, or minor muscle spasms elsewhere in my body — these are not simultaneous with the aura which usually shows up out of the blue. The aura consists of a broken circle of flashing jagged colored lights which starts as a small dot, usually with the right eye and progresses to a large broken circle which moves to the periphery and then out of my vision in about 15 minutes or less. I’ve mentioned it to my doctor and there doesn’t seem to be much concern. After the initial fear when the first one happened many years ago, now I just lay back if I can and enjoy the show. I feel they are associated with physical or mental stress. I had one just before writing this and noted that I had some minor muscle tension last night and did not sleep all that well. I know the cause of the muscle tension from yesterday so was not surprised. I have found gentle yoga stretching very helpful.

Sometimes months or years pass between auras. Sometimes I may experience seveal in a week but never more than one per day.

At this point I am exploring the effect of regular stretching and relaxation on the auras and feel they may be part of a pattern of muscle tension elsewhere in my body and perhaps associated with referred tension from sciatica (right side) or from using the computer mouse (right handed).

I hope these comments are useful to someone who is worried about the auras. I have not noticed any long term effects and as a matter of fact, my eyes have gotten better with age. Originally near-sighted, I have almost 20/20 vision at age 68.