Ocular issues/ migraines

Can CPAP cause ocular issues/ migraines?

I was diagnosed with moderate OSA via a home sleep study. I started using my APAP 2 weeks ago and have adapted pretty well, I don't have to many complaints. To my untrained eye I figure my Sleepyhead screenshots show that my treatment is working well.

On 3 separate occasions over the last week while working out I've experienced visual distortions in my right eye. The best way to describe it is it's like portion of my right eye is looking thru a fun house mirror. When I cover my right eye the distortion is not there, the distortion has been lasting for about 30 minutes then my vision returns to normal. My Optometrist attributes the problem to migraines, I have not been having headaches but it seems some people can have the visual effects of migraines without the headache. I didn't ask my Optomtrist if CPAP could be a factor because I wasn't making any type of connection between what I have been experiencing and using CPAP, I would think that using CPAP should improve migraines.
I have no previous history of migraines and had never experienced this type of issue before. Because the onset of these new visual issues this coincided with my starting CPAP 2 weeks ago I figured it was worth asking is there any chance CPAP could cause this?

I get migraine auras no headaches.
I have had cataract surgery in both eyes.
When I started therapy I would get a blank spot in both eyes when I first got up in the morning.
It would go away within ten minutes or less.
It concerned me at first.
I do not have this effect any longer.
That has been my experience. I do not let it concern me at this point.
Hope this helps you.
JPB

I had ocular migraines in both eyes for a day, several years ago.
(Fun house mirror/no pain, dizziness)
I reported it to my ophthalmologist, who tested my intraocular pressures.
Caught it just in time/nightly eye drops/ no damage.
Over 20 years now.

colomom wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:00 am

My Optometrist

Optometrist or ophthamologist?

I don't want to scare you, but there is a small chance it could be an aneurysm pressing on a nerve.

I believe migraine auras affect both eyes with the same image.
I agree with chunkyfrog and ChicagoGranny you should probably have a checkup with an ophthalmologist.
Optometrists do not necessarily have the expertise. Just to be sure.
JPB

An optometrist can provide a prescription for glasses or contacts.
I doubt if most are even qualified to treat pinkeye.
Do see the eye DOCTOR--the ophthalmologist.

My optometrist had squeezed me in for a rushed emergency appointment, the only thing he did was look at an optomap image of my eye.
Sounds like this warrants a deeper look, I'll see if I can get in with an ophthalmologist.
Thanks everyone for the great advice!

I have ocular migraines and had them long before CPAP. Stress can cause them, so if you are stressed by adjusting to CPAP it could possibly be the cause.

But I agree with others. The visual aura is always in BOTH eyes, though it may be more dominant than one. And it generally starts in my central vision and slowly works its way out to the periphery. My early auras were just a shimmering in my eyes, but now they've morphed into very elaborate, colorful vibrating patterns very similar to Northwest Indian artwork. I generally don't get a headache, so when I have this I just have to sit back and enjoy the show until it passes.

First, get it checked out. Magnesium (any form but oxide which is a laxative) is an alternative treatment. When cafergot and caffeine stopped working to abort my migraines, by accident, taking the RDA for magnesium (citrate form at that time), my migraines disappeared! Only gotten the aura a few times since 2000 when I started the magnesium and they'd gotten so bad I needed knockout shots. Doc said mag was an alternative treatment that worked extremely well for some.

I have had ocular migraines for 30 years or so - way before I started Cpap usage. In my case they look like pixelated rectangular areas, usually in the far right or left side of the vision field. They are visible with my eyes open or closed. They start out small, gradually get larger and then fade away.
At first I got them once or twice a month, but now very rarely - maybe two or three times a year.
The consensus opinion of doctors and ophthalmologists I have had is that they don't know what causes them and that they are not predictors of anything harmful.

First must be to find out if it is migraine.
Having visual effect in ONE eye is not normal in migraine.
If it is migraine then treat for migraine.
If not then
Peace of mind is very valuable, quick treatment can be essential.
Good luck,
JPB

Wow, thank for sharing your own experiences!
It’s incredibly helpful to hear about what is is like to experience ocular migraines from those of you who have them regularly! Many things match up, but there are a few things that don’t.
I said I have had never experienced anything like this before but after reading your accounts i’m not so sure, I have previously experienced lots of sparkles in my vision. The big difference from what you have all experienced and what I experienced seems to be that it was only in one eye.

I live an a small Colorado mountain town that is medically underserved, but somehow I weaseled my way into an appointment with an ophthalmologist in 2 weeks. Most likely it is nothing, but I only have two eyes so making certain that is the case is certainly worth a bit of time and money.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

I promise you there is NO WAY cpap can cause this symptom.
Keep on pappin' and pap happily, knowing it will only have POSITIVE results.
Good luck with the fun house--not much fun, is it?

Sparkles of light? If you mean flashes that can be a bad sign. That needs to be checked. Are you are on the western slope or the other side? I am in Palisade. There are several good ophthalmologists in Grand Junction and a couple of good specialists. I have to have a shot in each eye every six weeks (for wet macular degeneration) and can recommend one.

ClayL wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 29, 2019 6:36 am

Sparkles of light? If you mean flashes that can be a bad sign. That needs to be checked. Are you are on the western slope or the other side? I am in Palisade. There are several good ophthalmologists in Grand Junction and a couple of good specialists. I have to have a shot in each eye every six weeks (for wet macular degeneration) and can recommend one.

I don’t see a big flash of light, it’s more like little stars.

I love Palisade! I’m in Durango. Junction is the closest city to me, it’s about a 3 hour drive. Hopefully this will turn out to be nothing, if I need to see a specialist i’ll take you up on your offer to recommend someone!