Ocular Migraine

by AnnaJo Vahle

Canvas Print

$61

Framed Print

$79

Art Print

$17

Poster

$17

Metal Print

$67

Acrylic Print

$75

Wood Print

$46

Tapestry

$41

Throw Pillow

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Fleece Blanket

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Duvet Cover

$105

Shower Curtain

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Bath Towel

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Ornament

$10

Jigsaw Puzzle

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Tote Bag

$24

Weekender Tote Bag

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Zip Pouch

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Portable Battery Charger

$50

Yoga Mat

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Greeting Card

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Spiral Notebook

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Sticker

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iPhone Case

$27

Beach Towel

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Round Beach Towel

$70

Weekender Tote Bag

$48

Coffee Mug

$15

Men's Clothing

$30

Women's Clothing

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Youth Clothing

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Toddler Clothing

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Baby Clothing

$28

Original - Not For Sale

Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

8.000 x 5.000 inches

This piece is not for sale. Please feel free to contact the artist directly regarding this or other pieces.

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Title

Ocular Migraine

Artist

AnnaJo Vahle

Medium

Drawing - Charcoal On Paper

Description

I was just setting up my palette and getting ready to paint. I realized that I couldn't see very well. I kept trying to look around but things became a blur. All I could see was a shimmering zig-zagging line that pulsated. It was right in the center of my vision.

This happened to me a couple of times in the past few years. I realized that I was having an ocular migraine. I believed that if I just waited about 20 or 30 minutes that it would go away.

I really was in an artistic mood. I was near my charcoals and reached for them. The drawing pad was there, too. This is a sketch of what I saw. I could see a little around the edges and was able to make this drawing.

There was no pain. It did, indeed, go away in about half an hour. It was about another hour before my vision was normal again because things still seemed slight out of focus for another half hour. I decided not to paint that day.

People with ocular migraines can have a variety of visual symptoms. Typically you will see a small, enlarging blind spot (scotoma) in your central vision with bright, flickering lights (scintillations) or a shimmering zig-zag line (metamorphopsia) inside the blind spot. The blind spot usually enlarges and may move across your field of vision. This entire migraine phenomenon may end in only a few minutes, but usually lasts as long as about 20-30 minutes.
Generally, ocular migraines are considered harmless. Usually they are painless, cause no permanent visual or brain damage and do not require treatment.

Uploaded

August 13th, 2021

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Comments (7)

Linda Howes

Thanks so much for the information AnnaJo! It happened to me a couple of times, it was very scary and I was on a work appointment the first time. It didn't look like this, but more like what you described at the bottom of your post with the space in the middle. I hoped it would pass and it did, like you said about a half hour or so. But you start thinking all kinds of things could be happening and they are all bad. So good to know that it's not harmful. Cudo's to you for drawing it while it was happening! l/f

Laurel Adams

AnnaJo, I love how you give visual “ voice” to phenomena. I, too, have been plagued by migraine…almost daily for ten years after I gave up my career to follow my husband’s. I made a good choice…at least 16 of my friends died young…both our offices had been converted former warehouses built over “remediated” toxic waste sites. I only had one ocular migraine…while driving my sister back to the airport…I only had peripheral vision and it formed a black hole with those scintillating edges. Mary had to steer the wheel for about 35 LONG seconds. I could not pull off with highway traffic at 65 mph. Very scary…no pain…but very scary! Amazing rendering!

AnnaJo Vahle replied:

Oh wow, Laurel! It sounds like it must have been a terrifying experience. Imagining that Mary had to steer for you sounds awful. My first ocular migraine was while I was driving but I was on a back road a few blocks from my home. Your experience sounds so much worse. Glad that you made it safely. f/l

Marsha Reeves

This reminds me of something Georgia O'Keefe did of what she saw as she went under anaesthesia. Many members of my family had debilitating migraines, especially my mother--glad I've never had one. This is such a courageous, insightful, expressive work. I can't get it out of my mind. l/f

AnnaJo Vahle replied:

Thank you, Marsha. This is not a real headache. I mean that there wasn't any pain. Just a weird blindness for about half an hour. Weird.

CAROLE SPANDAU

Your artwork has been featured on the homepage of FAA Gallery Home For All Artists Who Create. Please post your amazing artwork in our` Archive your AUGUST Features` discussion.

AnnaJo Vahle replied:

Thank you, Carole. I am delighted to do so.