Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Kaleidoscope Vision?Signs and SymptomsCausesTreatmentPreventionWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Kaleidoscope Vision?
Signs and Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Most often, kaleidoscope vision is a symptom of anocular migraineor amigraine with aura. But it can also be associated with other conditions, includingmultiple sclerosis(MS),stroke, anddiabetes.
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Kaleidoscope vision is exactly what it sounds like—your line of vision suddenly looks as if you’re peering through a kaleidoscope.
Neurological changes from migraines or other conditions cause kaleidoscope vision. The symptoms most often present in both eyes, although you might experience kaleidoscope vision in just one eye or just one side of your line of vision.
Most episodes of kaleidoscope vision last for about 10 to 30 minutes but may last for up to an hour.
When you have kaleidoscope vision, you might experience:
You may or may not havesymptoms of a headacheor other signs of migraine with aura in addition to kaleidoscope vision. If a stroke causes the kaleidoscope vision episode, you might experience signs andsymptoms of stroke, including numbness on one side of the body or confusion. Symptoms that present alongside the kaleidoscope vision depend on their underlying cause.
Kaleidoscope vision can be a sign of more serious conditions, including brain injury and stroke, so it’s important to see a healthcare provider if you experience kaleidoscope vision for the first time.
Ocular and Retinal Migraines
There are two main types of ocular migraines:
While ocular migraines are not mini-strokes, those who have migraines with aura are at an increased risk of developing a stroke.
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Acentral retinal artery occlusionis a serious cause of kaleidoscope vision. This condition causes sudden one-sided vision loss. If treated before four hours, some vision may be preserved. However, some degree of vision loss or blindness in the affected eye is common.
It is a rare condition, and there are no well-established treatment guidelines. High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, inflammation of the lining of your arteries, atherosclerosis, and clotting conditions are potential risk factors.
Migraines are also a risk factor for developing a central retinal artery occlusion, and migraine with aura is associated with an even increased risk than migraine alone for developing the condition.If you suddenly lose vision in one eye, seek emergency medical treatment.
MS and Migraines
People with multiple sclerosis are 27% more likely to have migraines than people without MS.Because of the connection between MS and migraines, people with MS may be more likely to have episodes of kaleidoscope vision.
Diabetes
Individuals with diabetes are more likely to havemigraines, which may include kaleidoscope vision. Poorly controlled diabetes is also linked with eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy.This can cause changes to vision and kaleidoscope vision, especially at times when your blood sugar is high.
Stroke or Brain Injury
Kaleidoscope vision can be due to a stroke or brain injury and may present alongside other visual changes.Because of this, it’s essential to see your healthcare provider if you experience kaleidoscope vision for the first time. They’ll be able to rule out serious medical concerns and help determine the cause of your episode.
Other symptoms, such as trouble speaking,facial drooping, loss of balance, or difficulty walking, often accompany a stroke. However, in a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a ministroke, you may only experience visual disturbances such as kaleidoscope vision.In this case, seeking medical attention is the only way to know if kaleidoscope vision is part of a stroke.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD and MDMA (“molly” or “ecstasy”) can sometimes cause kaleidoscope vision as well as othervisual distortions.
Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are not a common cause of kaleidoscope vision. However, if they are present in an area of the brain that affects vision, brain tumors can cause visual disturbances, like kaleidoscope vision.
Most kaleidoscope vision episodes resolve quickly, usually within an hour. While there is no cure, treatment depends on treating the underlying cause.
Since migraines are the most common cause of kaleidoscope vision,treating and preventing migrainescan keep episodes of kaleidoscope vision at bay. If you have migraines, you should:
While stress itself won’t cause kaleidoscope vision, it can trigger a migraine, resulting in kaleidoscope vision.
Additionally, exercise may induce migraines in some individuals. If you exercise and experience kaleidoscope vision, stop and seek medical care if needed.
Contact a healthcare provider after experiencing an episode of kaleidoscope vision or if the vision changes last longer than an hour. They can rule out serious medical conditions and help you develop a plan to treat or prevent migraines in the future.
Your healthcare provider will likely refer you to anophthalmologist. These specially trained medical doctors can provide a comprehensive eye exam and look for health concerns that can present in the eyes, such as early signs of a stroke.
Other signs that warrant a visit to a healthcare provider include:
Summary
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Optometrists.org.Kaleidoscope vision.American Migraine Foundation.Visual disturbances: related to migraine or not?American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine: symptoms, causes and treatment.American Migraine Foundation.Understanding migraine with aura.Istrate BM, Vîlciu C, Răgan C.Retinal migraine.Rom J Ophthalmol. 2020;64(2):96-99.Yemisci M, Eikermann-Haerter K.Aura and Stroke: relationship and what we have learnt from preclinical models.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2019;20(1):63.Olson EA, Lentz K.Central retinal artery occlusion: a literature review and the rationale for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Mo Med. 2016;113(1):53-57.Al-Moujahed A, Tran EM, Azad A, et al.Risk of retinal artery occlusion in patients with migraine.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;225:157-165.Lin GY, Wang CW, Chiang TT, Peng GS, Yang FC.Multiple sclerosis presenting initially with a worsening of migraine symptoms.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2013;14(1):70. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-70Fagherazzi G, El Fatouhi D, Fournier A, et al.Associations between migraine and type 2 diabetes in women: Findings from the E3N cohort study.JAMA Neurol.2019;76(3):257–263. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3960American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.Eren OE, Wilhelm H, Schankin CJ, Straube A.Visual phenomena associated with migraine and their differential diagnosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Oct 1;118(39):647-653. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0287UCLA Health.The story of Robert.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Optometrists.org.Kaleidoscope vision.American Migraine Foundation.Visual disturbances: related to migraine or not?American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine: symptoms, causes and treatment.American Migraine Foundation.Understanding migraine with aura.Istrate BM, Vîlciu C, Răgan C.Retinal migraine.Rom J Ophthalmol. 2020;64(2):96-99.Yemisci M, Eikermann-Haerter K.Aura and Stroke: relationship and what we have learnt from preclinical models.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2019;20(1):63.Olson EA, Lentz K.Central retinal artery occlusion: a literature review and the rationale for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Mo Med. 2016;113(1):53-57.Al-Moujahed A, Tran EM, Azad A, et al.Risk of retinal artery occlusion in patients with migraine.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;225:157-165.Lin GY, Wang CW, Chiang TT, Peng GS, Yang FC.Multiple sclerosis presenting initially with a worsening of migraine symptoms.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2013;14(1):70. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-70Fagherazzi G, El Fatouhi D, Fournier A, et al.Associations between migraine and type 2 diabetes in women: Findings from the E3N cohort study.JAMA Neurol.2019;76(3):257–263. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3960American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.Eren OE, Wilhelm H, Schankin CJ, Straube A.Visual phenomena associated with migraine and their differential diagnosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Oct 1;118(39):647-653. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0287UCLA Health.The story of Robert.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Optometrists.org.Kaleidoscope vision.American Migraine Foundation.Visual disturbances: related to migraine or not?American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine: symptoms, causes and treatment.American Migraine Foundation.Understanding migraine with aura.Istrate BM, Vîlciu C, Răgan C.Retinal migraine.Rom J Ophthalmol. 2020;64(2):96-99.Yemisci M, Eikermann-Haerter K.Aura and Stroke: relationship and what we have learnt from preclinical models.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2019;20(1):63.Olson EA, Lentz K.Central retinal artery occlusion: a literature review and the rationale for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Mo Med. 2016;113(1):53-57.Al-Moujahed A, Tran EM, Azad A, et al.Risk of retinal artery occlusion in patients with migraine.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;225:157-165.Lin GY, Wang CW, Chiang TT, Peng GS, Yang FC.Multiple sclerosis presenting initially with a worsening of migraine symptoms.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2013;14(1):70. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-70Fagherazzi G, El Fatouhi D, Fournier A, et al.Associations between migraine and type 2 diabetes in women: Findings from the E3N cohort study.JAMA Neurol.2019;76(3):257–263. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3960American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.Eren OE, Wilhelm H, Schankin CJ, Straube A.Visual phenomena associated with migraine and their differential diagnosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Oct 1;118(39):647-653. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0287UCLA Health.The story of Robert.
Optometrists.org.Kaleidoscope vision.
American Migraine Foundation.Visual disturbances: related to migraine or not?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.This eye problem is an early warning sign of stroke.
American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine: symptoms, causes and treatment.
American Migraine Foundation.Understanding migraine with aura.
Istrate BM, Vîlciu C, Răgan C.Retinal migraine.Rom J Ophthalmol. 2020;64(2):96-99.
Yemisci M, Eikermann-Haerter K.Aura and Stroke: relationship and what we have learnt from preclinical models.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2019;20(1):63.
Olson EA, Lentz K.Central retinal artery occlusion: a literature review and the rationale for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Mo Med. 2016;113(1):53-57.
Al-Moujahed A, Tran EM, Azad A, et al.Risk of retinal artery occlusion in patients with migraine.Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;225:157-165.
Lin GY, Wang CW, Chiang TT, Peng GS, Yang FC.Multiple sclerosis presenting initially with a worsening of migraine symptoms.The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2013;14(1):70. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-70
Fagherazzi G, El Fatouhi D, Fournier A, et al.Associations between migraine and type 2 diabetes in women: Findings from the E3N cohort study.JAMA Neurol.2019;76(3):257–263. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3960
Eren OE, Wilhelm H, Schankin CJ, Straube A.Visual phenomena associated with migraine and their differential diagnosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Oct 1;118(39):647-653. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0287
UCLA Health.The story of Robert.
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