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Causes of Visual Disturbances Without Pain

Experiencing zig-zag lines in vision with no headache could indicate a condition called “ocular migraine”.

This type of migraine specifically affects vision, causing wavy lines, flashes, or blind spots in your visual field.

These visual disturbances arise from unusual electrical activity in the brain’s visual cortex, a common feature of migraine auras, but without the accompanying headache.

Ocular migraines may sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms like tingling in the hands and feet.

Causes of Visual Disturbances Without Pain

Many health problems can cause painless vision disturbances, including:

Silent migraine: This is a type of migraine that does not cause headache pain, but causes blurred vision such as wavy lines, bright lights, or flashing spots that last for minutes or hours.
Posterior vitreous detachment: This condition usually appears in people over the age of fifty, but it can also appear in the forties. This health problem can affect both eyes, but symptoms usually appear in one eye at a time.
Anemia: Severe anemia can cause insufficient oxygen to reach the retina and optic nerve, causing vision disturbances that are usually temporary.
Low blood pressure: If you suffer from low blood pressure and suddenly get up, the eye may lose blood supply for a moment, causing blurred vision.
Diabetes: Diabetes can affect blood vessels, causing vision problems on long-term.
Medications: Such as blood pressure medications and anticoagulants that can cause temporary blurred vision.

Understanding Ocular Migraines

Ocular migraine refers to two types of migraine: retinal migraine and migraine with aura.

Retinal migraine

A rare type of migraine that causes temporary visual problems and can even lead to blindness in one eye.

Its effects can be noticed through the following symptoms:

A blind spot in the field of vision.
Lights, zigzag lines, colors, or spots.
A headache that comes with or shortly after eye symptoms.
Vomiting and nausea.

Migraine with aura

This is another type of migraine and its symptoms include:

The appearance of an aura of light that starts as a small spot and then turns into C letter shape or sickle-shaped aura around the head.
The appearance of zigzag lines on the edge of the aura.

Migraine causes:

Migraines are caused by poor blood flow to the blood vessels that feed the retina and optic nerve. These are temporary symptoms despite the concerns they cause for the affected person.

In general, if you suffer from any of the symptoms of migraine, you should consult your doctor and get the appropriate treatment. (American optometric association, n.d.)

When to Consult an Eye Specialist

Although occasional zig-zag lines in vision with no headache are not a cause for immediate concern, it is important to see a doctor for proper evaluation.

If you have an ocular migraine, seek immediate medical attention if:

The visual changes are limited to one eye.
The visual disturbances last for more than an hour or less than five minutes.
The visual changes occur without an accompanying headache.
You have an unusual headache with visual changes.
You are over the age of 50 and have started having headaches with visual symptoms.
Weakness on one side of your body or difficulty speaking.