[dealbreaker]

About 10 years ago I went to an ophthalmologist. I had experienced a situation which I can only describe as a visual phenomenon traveling from one part of my visual field to beneath it. I was partially blind because of it. I can only think it was a very small stroke or something. They found nothing wrong with my eyes and in passing I mentioned these white things.

Combined with my inability to explain what I saw, the doctor was visibly annoyed and said I need a psychiatrist not an ophthalmologist.

[fredrol]

It was most likely a scintillating scotoma, a kind of visual aura associated with migraine. The migraine can come without headache, in which case I’ve heard it’s called retinal migraine. I had a similar experience, also thought I had a stroke. Went to the ER where they did MRI and then referred me to an ophthalmologist which immediately recognized what I described. I’ve had it a few times since, mostly during periods of high stress and bad sleep. Nothing to worry about once you know what it is.

[zzeternia]

Over what time frame what the phenomenon? Have you heard of migraine aura? Descriptions vary, but they typically involve a visual disruption traveling across your field of view. They aren't always followed by headaches, and I have trouble seeing when I get one.

[hooverd]

Doctors get surprisingly cranky when you have an issue that doesn't match their internal flowchart.

[selimthegrim]

Scotomas are real. Get a new ophthalmologist.