Kaleidoscope Vision: What to Know about This Visual Aura

Kaleidoscope vision sounds like a fanciful concept. But it's actually a real visual disturbance that can make the world look fragmented and brightly colored—like looking through a kaleidoscope.

It's often tied to migraines, but what exactly is it, and should you be worried if you experience it? Let's break it down.

What is Kaleidoscope Vision?

Kaleidoscope vision refers to a short-term visual distortion that makes images look blurry, broken up, and bright in color similar to looking through a kaleidoscope. 

This type of vision is a side effect of a migraine aura, which can affect all your senses, including your smell and hearing. While visual aura symptoms are usually not a major cause for concern, kaleidoscopic vision can signify something more serious. We highly suggest talking to an eye doctor if you’re experiencing long-lasting or frequent visual migraines. 

Types of Migraine Auras

There are three types of visual auras you might experience with migraine: 

• Positive visual aura. Refers to a phenomenon where you perceive images that aren’t there, like stars or squiggly lines.
• Negative visual aura. Partial or total loss of vision during a migraine; you may lose your peripheral vision (tunnel vision), notice blind spots, or blackout
• Altered visual aura. Seeing distorted images like a straight line appearing wavy. Kaleidoscopic vision is considered an altered visual aura.

What Causes Kaleidoscope Vision?

A visual migraine usually causes kaleidoscope vision. This causes your brain’s nerve cells to fire erratically, causing pain, aches, and visual disruptions. 

They’re different from retinal migraines, which happen in one eye and cause scintillations or scotomas. However, retinal migraines can also cause kaleidoscope vision, alongside temporary vision loss, peripheral vision loss, and headaches.

Lastly, you can get kaleidoscope vision from diabetes. This is because people with diabetes are more likely to experience migraines, especially when their blood sugar is high.

What are the Symptoms of Kaleidoscope Vision?

Not everyone who experiences kaleidoscope vision experiences headaches. It may take one hour for a headache to develop after noticing visual auras. 

Here are some common signs and symptoms of kaleidoscope vision:

• Fractured vision
• Blurred vision
• Visual distortions
• Visual hallucinations
• Seeing bright and/or shiny images
• Severe headache
• Other migraine symptoms

When to Seek Help for Kaleidoscope Vision

Kaleidoscope vision isn’t typically a sign of anything serious. You could just have an ocular migraine and about a quarter of people who get migraines experience visual disturbances.

However, you should see a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

• Eye pain
• Vision loss
• Blind spots
• Nausea
• Severe headache
• Frequent episodes of kaleidoscope vision

If you’re experiencing facial numbness and slurred words alongside kaleidoscope vision, you may be having a stroke, so contact a medical professional immediately.

Kaleidoscope vision may also be linked to visual dysfunction and multiple sclerosis. Lastly, migraines can also be a sign of brain damage, especially if you’re experiencing temporary blindness and other issues regarding your senses.

If you cover one eye and have no trouble seeing out the other, the issue is likely coming from the covered eye. If you do not notice a difference when you cover either eye, it could mean your brain is involved.

Treatment Options for Kaleidoscope Vision 

Here are some ways you can fix kaleidoscope vision:

• Eyeglasses. If you are experiencing an altered aura like kaleidoscope vision because of visual misalignment, wearing eyeglasses to correct your vision can help.
• Medications for ocular migraines. You can take medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and Tylenol.
• Treating underlying conditions. If your kaleidoscopic vision results from an underlying health concern like diabetes, seeking treatment can alleviate symptoms.

Can You Prevent Kaleidoscope Vision?

You can make a few lifestyle adjustments to reduce the frequency of migraines and prevent kaleidoscope vision. For example, you can exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and manage stress through relaxation techniques or yoga.

If you feel a migraine coming on, rest in a dark, quiet room to reduce your exposure to bright lights and loud sounds. Lastly, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage symptoms. Prescription medications, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or anti-seizure medications, may be used for migraine prevention.

Consult your doctor about your symptoms and whether or not preventative care is right for you. Though millions of Americans suffer from migraines that cause visual symptoms, only three to 13% are on preventative therapy. Meanwhile, an estimated 38% of them need preventive care.