Why Do I See Wavy Lines In My Peripheral Vision?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Wavy or distorted lines in your vision could be a

sign that you have keratoconus

, but it could also be an indicator for retinal tears, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration. These eye conditions need to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible so that you can maintain crisp, clear vision.

Why do I get zig zag lines in my eyes?

Causes of

Ocular Migraine

. Ocular migraine is a term used to cover several migraine subtypes that cause visual disturbances. They can develop with or without the accompanying pain of a classic migraine attack. During an ocular migraine flare, you may see flashing or shimmering lights, zigzagging lines, or stars.

What does it mean when you see water ripples in your vision?

An

ocular migraine

gives a temporary visual disturbance, or ‘aura’. This will often be described as ‘zig-zagging’ lights or lines (like looking through a kaleidoscope) or, occasionally as though the vision has become ‘rippled’ ( like looking through water).

Can high blood pressure cause wavy vision?

Persistent, untreated high blood pressure can cause

damage

to the retina, the tissues at the back of the eye responsible for receiving the images we need to see. The condition can lead to symptoms including double or dim vision, loss of vision and headaches.

Can dry eyes cause wavy lines?


Macular Degeneration

There are two types of AMD: wet or dry. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina begin to grow beneath the macula, leaking fluid and blood that raises the macula. This type of AMD causes rapid vision loss and will often cause straight lines to appear wavy and distorted.

What is eye stroke?

An eye stroke, or

anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

, is a dangerous and potentially debilitating condition that occurs from a lack of sufficient blood flow to the tissues located in the front part of the optic nerve.

What causes changes in peripheral vision?

Causes of peripheral vision loss can be as mild as an

ocular migraine

or a vitreous floater, to more serious, like a retinal detachment or a pituitary tumour. Other causes include glaucoma, stroke, retinitis pigmentosa, and brain aneurysms.

When should I be concerned about visual disturbances?

If any visual disturbances

begin suddenly and unexpectedly

, see a doctor immediately. Although the visual disturbance may be the result of a minor problem, vision disturbances can be the first symptom of other serious conditions, such as: glaucoma. brain tumors.

Can Heart issues affect vision?

People that have cardiovascular disease may be at a higher risk of developing certain types of eye problems. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, research indicates that people who have heart disease have a

higher chance of developing vision loss

due to age-related macular degeneration.

What is scintillating scotoma?

Scintillating scotomas are

blind spots that flicker and waver between light and dark

. Scintillating scotomas are typically not permanent. But they can be an indicator of an underlying health condition.

What is Crvo?

The eye’s retina has one main artery and one main vein. When the main retinal vein becomes blocked, it is called

central retinal vein occlusion

(CRVO). When the vein is blocked, blood and fluid spills out into the retina. The macula can swell from this fluid, affecting your central vision.

Are there warning signs days before a stroke?

– Warning signs of an ischemic stroke may be

evident as early as seven days before an attack

and require urgent treatment to prevent serious damage to the brain, according to a study of stroke patients published in the March 8, 2005 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Can low blood sugar cause wavy vision?


Low blood sugar can also cause blurred vision and even double vision

. While high blood sugar can change the shape of the lens in your eye, low blood sugar doesn’t and this particular vision issue can be corrected sooner by getting your blood sugar back to normal from a meal or snack.

What is macular thickening?

Macular edema is

a swelling or thickening of the eye’s macula

, the part of the eye responsible for detailed, central vision. The macula is a very small area at the center of the retina—a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye.

How do you know if your peripheral vision is bad?

  1. Difficulty seeing at night.
  2. Blurry vision.
  3. Blindspot in your vision.
  4. Sensitivity to light.
  5. Bumping into objects or people.
  6. Not seeing something until it is right in front of you.
  7. Seeing halos or glares around lights.
  8. Redness or swelling of the eyes.

What does peripheral vision look like?

What Describes Peripheral Vision? Peripheral vision can be described as

everything you see on the side while looking straight ahead and without turning your head sideways

– and when this ability of yours is diminished, it is referred as ‘tunnel vision’ or ‘peripheral vision loss’.

Can glasses fix peripheral vision?

Despite the great care taken to improve our central vision,

most glasses do nothing to improve our peripheral vision

. In fact, the opposite can be true. For at least two reasons, wearing regular-framed glasses could actually impair one’s peripheral vision, with serious potential effects on safety.

Can clogged arteries cause vision problems?

Restricted or blocked blood flow has serious consequences

If the resulting loss of brain function is permanent, it’s called a stroke, or “brain attack.” Partial or complete blindness in one eye can occur if plaque breaks off and occludes the artery to the eye.

Why does my vision look like heat waves?

Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or “heat waves” in both eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes. These types of flashes are usually caused by

a spasm of blood vessels in the brain

, which is called a migraine.

What do visual auras look like?

Common characteristics of visual aura can include :

flashes of bright light

.

“foggy” vision

.

zigzag lines

.

Is it normal to have veins in your eyes?

Having prominent veins under your

eyes can be a normal part of some people’s aging process

and isn’t necessarily a cause for concern.

Can high cholesterol cause blurred vision?


Retinal vein occlusion

occurs when cholesterol breaks off a blood vessel wall and causes a clot in your retina. The result can be an instant blurring of vision or vision loss.

What does diabetes blurred vision look like?

One of the common signs of diabetes mellitus is blurred vision, which refers to the

loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see fine details

. Blurred vision can affect one eye (unilateral blurred vision) or both (bilateral blurred vision) eyes, and can occur often or rarely.

Can prediabetes affect vision?


Blurred vision is

also a prominent symptom of prediabetes. If you are experiencing vision changes, get your blood sugar levels tested, as many people with prediabetes are already suffering complications from diabetes.

Can low bp cause blurred vision?

For some people, low blood pressure signals an underlying problem, especially when it drops suddenly or is accompanied by signs and symptoms such as: Dizziness or lightheadedness. Fainting.

Blurred or fading vision

.

What are the 4 signs of an impending stroke?


Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm

, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

Does macular edema go away by itself?


Rarely, macular edema will go away on its own

. However, if you have symptoms of macular edema, it’s important that you see an ophthalmologist right away. If left untreated, macular edema can cause severe vision loss and even blindness. There are several treatment options available for macular edema.

Can stress cause fluid behind eyes?

Stress causes the body to produce a hormone called

cortisol

. Cortisol can cause inflammation and leaks. This leakage may lead to fluid building up in the back of the eye.

What is edema in eyes?

Macular edema is

the build-up of fluid in the macula

, an area in the center of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye and the macula is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. Fluid buildup causes the macula to swell and thicken, which distorts vision.

What are the 5 warning signs of a stroke?

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body).
  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
  • Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden difficulty walking or dizziness, loss of balance or problems with coordination.

What is a pre stroke?

Pre-strokes or mini strokes are the common terms used to describe

a transient ischemic attack (TIA)

. Unlike a full blown stroke, a TIA only lasts a few minutes and does not cause permanent damage. Nevertheless it is a warning sign that a possible stroke may be coming in the future.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.