Weird post ride vision. Any Optometrists in da house?

[Tickdoc]

I've noticed for the last few years that when I finish a hard ride I will get this weird starry vision post ride for about thirty minutes.

Anyone else experience this? I asked my optometrist and she wants me to come in when it's happening so she can check, but it isn't every ride. That is hard to do as I only seem to ride when she is closed and quick last minute appointments are hard to get.

It's like a starry multicolor electric pie plate or ruffled cupcake wrapper near my central field of vision. It is central too, both eyes always, and not that noticeable with eyes closed.

Weird.

Never happens on the ride, either, always after.

[joe.e]

could it be dehydration? I've experienced the same thing a couple times, and it has always been related to being stupid and not being properly hydrated.

[Tickdoc]

could it be dehydration? I've experienced the same thing a couple times, and it has always been related to being stupid and not being properly hydrated.

Maybe. Two bottles on a thirty mile hard ride in seventy degree weather seems adequate hydration to me.

I am just back from an alcohol and cigar binged all guy fishing trip, though, so that could be a factor.

[joe.e]

Maybe. Two bottles on a thirty mile hard ride in seventy degree weather seems adequate hydration to me.

I am just back from an alcohol and cigar binged all guy fishing trip, though, so that could be a factor.

heh, yea. Both times its happened to me I went in dehydrated. Drank plenty on the ride, just started lower than I should have, and then failed to properly rehydrate after.

Did you have symptoms other than vision weirdness? I had a bunch of other ugliness associated with it, but each person is different etc etc.

[unterhausen]

you probably want an ophthalmologist.

I suspect it's dehydration.

I have some weirdness in the periphery in one of my eyes that I've always had after exertion. Talked to my retinal specialist about it, and he said it was retinal schesis. Now, why nobody ever noticed it before, I don't know. But it's not symmetric like the visual effects I expect from dehydration

[Tony T]

Check your vitals when it occurs (BP, HR, Blood Sugar, etc)

[Cicli]

I had a post ride vision once.
Tullio Campagnolo appeared in a piece of toast.

[Tickdoc]

I had a post ride vision once.
Tullio Campagnolo appeared in a piece of toast.

Thank goodness, better there than in the toilet:butt:

[Tickdoc]

heh, yea. Both times its happened to me I went in dehydrated. Drank plenty on the ride, just started lower than I should have, and then failed to properly rehydrate after.

Did you have symptoms other than vision weirdness? I had a bunch of other ugliness associated with it, but each person is different etc etc.

Nothing else, and not the first time. I rarely hydrate pre-ride, and for a thirty miler, only drink water. I alternate one bottle of water with one bottle of skratch when the temp heats up.

[biker72]

If possible check your blood pressure right after the ride. It's normal for your BP should drop a little after exercise but some people (like me) can get a pretty significant drop that could lead to some rather bizarre effects.

[Tickdoc]

If possible check your blood pressure right after the ride. It's normal for your BP should drop a little after exercise but some people (like me) can get a pretty significant drop that could lead to some rather bizarre effects.

Will do. I have low blood pressure in general so that could be it, but I don't have headaches or dizziness and just haven't thought of that. I do tend to suffer some chills for a bit, but not today.
Is it possible to have pressure probes focused on just the eyes? (No pun intended)

[numbskull]

Helmet too tight?


More seriously, you might want to search on opthalmic (not ocular) migraine.
They are common and exercise might trigger one.
The simultaneous occurrence in both eyes suggests a brain origin.
The duration argues against a hypo-perfusion event such as low blood pressure.

[biker72]

Will do. I have low blood pressure in general so that could be it, but I don't have headaches or dizziness and just haven't thought of that. I do tend to suffer some chills for a bit, but not today.
Is it possible to have pressure probes focused on just the eyes? (No pun intended)

I've never had headaches but can feel a little weak and light headed when by BP gets low. A couple of times I have had some very brief vision problems.

[wc1934]

Helmet too tight?


More seriously, you might want to search on opthalmic (not ocular) migraine.
They are common and exercise might trigger one.
The simultaneous occurrence in both eyes suggests a brain origin.
The duration argues against a hypo-perfusion event such as low blood pressure.

I too would have suggested an opthalmic migraine.

[Louis]

To check the hydration theory I'd do a few rides where I purposely drank twice the usual amount. (I'd drink something with plenty of electrolytes, not just water.) If the problem still occurred I'd try to work out a ride + appointment with an ophthalmologist (not an optometrist) and work it so the ride ended at the doctor's office. If that's too complicated you could try riding a stationary trainer somewhere near the doctor's office, but it might be too difficult to get in a long / hard enough ride on that.

Getting a home blood-pressure measuring device is also worth a check. They aren't that expensive.

Good luck. Vision issues can at a minimum be disconcerting and potentially worse. Whatever you do, find a way to get it checked out.

[gasman]

Helmet too tight?


More seriously, you might want to search on opthalmic (not ocular) migraine.
They are common and exercise might trigger one.
The simultaneous occurrence in both eyes suggests a brain origin.
The duration argues against a hypo-perfusion event such as low blood pressure.

I also agree with opthamic migraine as a possibility.

When I used to get migraine headaches a long or hard ride could precipitate one.

[alexstar]

+1 on opthalmic migraine - only had one, very strange experience, but it would fit your symptoms.

[shovelhd]

When is the last time you had your eyes checked? Did they check your eye pressure? Glaucoma is something I unfortunately know too well. I'd want to rule that out. High pressure can cause these exact symptoms.

[malcolm]

If it bothers you, you should see a doctor. I have a similar thing after really long hard exertions, running or on the bike. Mine is more peripheral vision and sort of a heat waves type thing. I've never been examined but have talked to a neurologist buddy and he feels confident it's a migraine variant as has been mentioned in several posts. I would still recommend seeing a doctor as what seems to be one thing in one person doesn't necessarily translate to another.

[Tickdoc]

When is the last time you had your eyes checked? Did they check your eye pressure? Glaucoma is something I unfortunately know too well. I'd want to rule that out. High pressure can cause these exact symptoms.

I'm due. My optometrist was in this morning and the thought ophthalmic migraine as other suggested. But I'm due for a check anyway.

[Hindmost]

I experience very similar symptoms. It first occurred 30 years ago and I associated it with nordic skiing at elevation. When I mentioned it to my then doctor he shrugged as if it's no big deal and said, "visual migraine."

I still get a few each year. They last a from a couple of minutes to twenty minutes or so. Apparently not associated with any particular activity or condition. I just have to relax, not do anything requiring visual acuity, and wait for it to pass.

[stackie]

I got those for a couple of years. Triggered by bike ride to work and immediately walking up two flights of stairs.

Walked in locker room one day with it happening and ophthalmologist says to me, "what's wrong?" I tell him. He says, "ophthalmic migraine. Nothing to worry about."

Don't take this a medical advice. See your ophthalmologist and describe sx.

Jon