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Hi Slim, thanks for taking the time. I searched this thread for a couple key words - my apologies if someone has presented this to you already in some other fashion.
I occasionally have a very hard to describe happening in my eyes.
It starts very simply - my most direct vision becomes almost completely impaired, but only a pin-hole of a distraction. I'll notice while reading on the computer perhaps, that the single character that I'm trying to read is no longer viewable...but all other areas are.
This pin-hole starts to grow and take on a more broken-rectangular (for the lack of a better description) shape. As it grows, it also starts to move off to one side or the other. Where now my direct vision is intact, but more and more the peripheral. From just off center and outward - only on one side - while maintaining the angular shape.
Kicker #1: it's in both eyes, in exactly the same location throughout the progression.
Kicker #2: "it" exists even when I shut both eyes -- in a strobing effect. With my eyes shut, the areas that are obscured with eyes open, are strobing white-on-black. This strobing is very hard to make out with my eyes open, but it is slightly noticeable.
This whole "event" takes no more than 20 minutes before it is at either extreme peripheral...until it simply 'falls off'.
During this time I feel completely healthy/normal in all other respects. No anxiety, no other physical symptoms.
This started about 5 years ago. It's presented very sporadically. A couple times in a month -- then maybe not again for a year.
After the first couple appearances, I did go to my family doctor. Being in both eyes & with eyes shut and open...I was concerned that it was something maybe a little 'deeper'. He really didn't offer an explanation...he just said maybe it's 'stress' or something to that effect.
While getting fitted for new contacts some time later, I tried (w/o much success I'm afraid) explaining it to the optometrist as well. He didn't have a guess either.
Any clue?
Thanks for your time.
Ps. I'm 40, fair shape, but do smoke...if that helps you.
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I am shocked that neither doctor gave you the answer. It's an ocular migraine and I see patients with it every other week. Read the link below but keep in mind the visual disturbance varies from person to person. It's also completely benign.
http://www.eyeguys.net/ocularmigraine.html