Differential Diagnosis for Wavy Lines in Bilateral Visual Fields with Blurred Vision
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Migraine with Visual Auras: This condition is characterized by transient visual symptoms, including wavy lines or zigzag patterns (scintillations), which can be bilateral and are often followed by a headache. The visual disturbances can cause blurred vision and are a common presentation of migraine auras.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Ocular Migraine: Similar to migraine with visual auras but without the headache, ocular migraines can cause temporary visual disturbances, including wavy lines and blurred vision in one or both eyes.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Severe dry eye can cause visual disturbances, including blurred vision and wavy lines, due to irregularities on the surface of the eye.
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected or under-corrected refractive errors (e.g., myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) can lead to blurred vision and, in some cases, might be perceived as wavy lines due to the distortion of vision.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Retinal Detachment: Although less common, retinal detachment can present with sudden onset of floaters, flashes of light, and a curtain or shadow descending over the visual field, which might be described as wavy lines. It's an emergency requiring immediate attention.
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and unusual visual patterns, can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: Optic neuritis, a condition associated with multiple sclerosis, can cause visual disturbances, including blurred vision and unusual visual patterns, though these are typically unilateral.
- Toxoplasmosis or Other Infectious Retinitis: In rare cases, infectious retinitis can cause visual disturbances, including blurred vision and unusual patterns, though these conditions often have additional symptoms such as eye pain or redness.
- Vitamin A Deficiency: Can lead to night blindness and, in severe cases, might cause visual disturbances, though wavy lines are not a typical presentation.