# WTF? I can't see!!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 30, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943 "2005-03-30T14:23:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/21 "2005-03-30T16:52:39Z")
Whew 🙂 _smooches_ ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/22 "2005-03-30T16:55:16Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > Whew 🙂 _smooches_ Not tonight love. I’ve got a headache. 😃 \ ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/23 "2005-03-30T16:57:24Z")
_chases with a herring and a shrubbery_ ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/24 "2005-03-30T17:01:40Z")
Though I agree with most people here that it sounds like visual auras associated with migraine, given your family history of Type II Diabetes, I would ask your doctor for a full exam for diabetes. Refractive & accomodative changes are associated with blood sugar fluctuations for diabetics. I’m not sure how likely it is that your problem is related to diabetes, but you should have it ruled out by a doctor. Diabetes is really rough on the eye, and can cause blindness if not controlled. BTW, IANAD but I do work in an ophthalmology/optometry library, and I love reading about all the scary diseases people can get that make them go blind. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/25 "2005-03-30T17:11:13Z")
Oh - and increases in intraocular pressure can produce visual hallucinations, especially involving light & patterns. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/26 "2005-03-30T17:11:43Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > Though I agree with most people here that it sounds like visual auras associated with migraine, given your family history of Type II Diabetes, I would ask your doctor for a full exam for diabetes. > > Refractive & accomodative changes are associated with blood sugar fluctuations for diabetics. I’m not sure how likely it is that your problem is related to diabetes, but you should have it ruled out by a doctor. Diabetes is really rough on the eye, and can cause blindness if not controlled. > > BTW, IANAD but I do work in an ophthalmology/optometry library, and I love reading about all the scary diseases people can get that make them go blind. :smack: It occures to me that there ought to be a new SDMB law that talks about going back to your post one time too many. …and I was feeling so relieved about my diagnosis… until now… \ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/27 "2005-03-30T17:26:05Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > :smack: > It occures to me that there ought to be a new SDMB law that talks about going back to your post one time too many. > > …and I was feeling so relieved about my diagnosis… until now… \ > 😉 I suspect the odds of this being something other than migraine are pretty slim. But PLEASE see someone & get a workup, because it could be something serious! ::flashes of lightning, rolling thunder:: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/28 "2005-03-30T20:16:03Z")
I immediately thought ocular migraine (I started getting them a few years ago). Contact an opthamologist for a MRI to double check, but they are self-limiting and not a major concern. Avoiding stress and eyestrain will help. ---
**Author:** ![Tupug\_Anachi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/29 "2005-03-30T20:59:47Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > Holy shit, **Tupug** , I’ve been having these for years. I’ve mentioned them to the doctor and he didn’t even know what they were. Thank you so much for linking to that – another mystery solved! You are quite welcome…fighting ignorance and all that. 🙂 IIRC I learned about these from a SD thread some time ago. Too lazy to do a search, though. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/30 "2005-03-30T23:16:56Z")
I was sure he was talking about the same thing I get every once in a while, in which my [blind spot](http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/blindspot1.html) temporarily gets much larger. It’s pretty freaky, but it’s been happening for years, always goes away pretty soon, and the last time I was at my eye doctor he didn’t seem very concerned about it when I tried to explain it. That blind spot page is pretty freaky, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/31 "2005-03-31T05:41:07Z")
Voting for ocular migraine too (I get them and I LOVE Them - fun fun! - especially when they give me a chance to head off the um headache). BUT - don’t be an idiot. You don’t self-diagnose a scotoma. My first was an absolutely classical ocular migraine but my doctor did a thorough workup anyway (about half an hour in the office) just to be sure it wasn’t one of any number of other things. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/32 "2005-03-31T06:36:05Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > …I’m feeling better! 🙂 Doesn’t matter. Make an appointment and go get checked out anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/33 "2005-03-31T16:56:41Z")
Could be migraines. Could also be a tumor, MS or glaucoma. Not to scare you needlessly, but it’s not the kind of thing you should just let go. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/34 "2005-03-31T18:12:09Z")
:eek: You guys are just freaking me out right now. Not only am I running to the doctor but I’m requesting a full MRI and colonoscopy. Just to be sure. ☹ I’m also writing a living will in case I don’t make it out of the doctor’s office. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/35 "2005-03-31T20:16:15Z")
I have had something similiar twice. The first time I was severly dehydrated after 4-5 days of violent illness, and it required a trip to the ER and some IV fluids to correct. The second time was what everyone else here said, migranes. Both required trips to a trained medical professional to diagnose though. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/36 "2005-03-31T20:37:16Z")
Say, you’re not taking Viagra, are you? It seems it can [make you go blind.](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=627230) > [@](#): > > In a new study, US researchers describe seven patients who developed nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), an eye problem that can result in permanent vision loss, after taking Viagra (sildenafil) for erection difficulties. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/37 "2005-03-31T21:43:52Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Say, you’re not taking Viagra, are you? It seems it can [make you go blind.](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=627230) :eek: No, but thanks for asking. 🙂 Just goes to show yet again; Anything really fun/good is ultimatley not good for you. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/38 "2005-03-31T21:49:04Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > … but I’m requesting a full MRI and colonoscopy. :smack: I’ll have them find my brain no matter what it takes… I know you were all thinking it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/39 "2005-04-01T02:32:40Z")
I agree, it does sound like an ocular migrane. BUT see that there Doctor- just to rule out transient ischemic attacks, blood clotting disorders, glaucoma, diabetes, detached retinas, and all that. I get the ocular migranes, myself. For me, they only happen under extreme stress, sleep deprivation, or exposure to aspartame (nutrasweet). Usually it takes all three. The worst of it is that my brain tries to fill in the scotoma, which can make it hard to make sense of my visual field. When I saw this post, I thought "Will it do any good to reply? He can’t see! Does he have a braille computer? ". Clearly, even when it is not having migraines, my brain has some issues. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943/40 "2005-04-01T02:42:28Z")
> [@Tupug Anachi](#): > > Does it look sorta like [this?](http://www.eyeguys.net/ocularmigraine.html) I get these occasionally…particularly when tired or stressed. They usually disappear withing 20 minutes or so, faster if I take ibuprophen. But, by all means, see a doctor. \*\*_That’s_ \*\* what that was? I had that happen for about 3-5 minutes one stressful day a year ago, and I thought I was losing my mind because everything looked shimmery, blue, and multi-faceted. At first I was too scared to see a doctor because I figured it was the sign of something horrible, then it never happened again so I wrote it off as a freak occurance. I love the SD, now I know what to say to a doctor if it ever happens again and needs treatment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-i-cant-see/296943.md?page=1)