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What Is an Ocular Migraine?

Headache

“Ocular migraine” is an umbrella term for two different types of headaches that cause visual disturbances. Symptoms include losing your vision and seeing zig-zag lines, blind spots, or stars. It’s common for patients to experience a range of visual disturbances, and in some cases, visual disturbances occur without the head pain characteristic of a headache.1 The term “ocular migraine” can be confusing as it is often used interchangeably with the different types of ocular migraine: migraine aura and retinal migraines.1 Learn the difference between the two to help you treat your symptoms effectively.

Different Types of Ocular Migraines

Migraine with aura, or migraine aura, and retinal migraines are two different types of ocular migraines. A migraine with aura usually isn’t serious, but a retinal migraine could necessitate a trip to the doctor.1

Migraine with Aura

A migraine with aura typically causes visual distortions in both eyes. The symptoms of a migraine with aura include minor sight issues, such as seeing stars, patterns, blind spots, flashes of light, shimmering spots, psychedelic images, or zigzagging patterns.2,3 These symptoms are typically minor, but they can impact your ability to do visual activities like driving or reading.1

A migraine with aura sometimes includes physical sensations that affect your speech, motor skills, and central nervous system. These sensations can include changes in taste, smell, or touch; mental fog; and numbness or tingling in your body.3 A migraine aura can occur with or without a headache, and sometimes signals an oncoming headache. Migraine auras usually occur before the peak of the headache, but some patients report experiencing them after their headaches.2

Migraines with aura are not typically a cause for concern. Around one in five people who get migraines have migraines with aura, and only 20% of those individuals report having a migraine aura with every attack.2 The symptoms are temporary and typically last around 30 minutes. However, 20% of patients with migraine auras report having symptoms that last over an hour.2

Retinal Migraine

A retinal migraine is a rare, serious condition that precedes or accompanies other migraine symptoms. Symptoms of a retinal migraine include seeing twinkling lights, diminished vision, or temporary blindness. Unlike a migraine with aura, retinal migraines only affect one eye.1,2 Retinal migraine symptoms are more intrusive than migraine aura symptoms, and episodes can reoccur throughout the day and last from five to 20 minutes.3

Retinal migraines are rarer than migraines with aura, as they affect one out of every 200 migraine patients.3 Retinal migraines are considered a medical emergency as they might indicate an underlying health condition. If you’re experiencing visual loss in one eye, seek medical treatment to prevent any permanent sight loss. Underlying diseases like lupus, sickle cell disease, artery problems, or antiphospholipid syndrome can also cause vision loss in one eye.4

What Causes Ocular Migraines?

A migraine with aura may be a result of abnormal electrical activity spreading across the outer surface of the brain. This electrical activity is responsible for the visual disturbances you experience during your migraine.2

Retinal migraines may be caused by similar electrical disturbances to the retina or spasms in the retinal blood vessels or nerves.2,3 They are more frequently seen in women and patients under the age of 40.4 Many doctors believe that ocular migraines are triggered by the same things that trigger regular headaches, including:2,3,4

  • Family history of migraines
  • Increased estrogen
  • Eye strain from harsh lights or electronics
  • Loud noises
  • Strong smells
  • Stress
  • Alcohol
  • Dehydration
  • High altitude
  • Weather changes
  • Extreme heat
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
  • Foods containing nitrates, MSG, or tyramine

How to Treat a Visual Migraine

Migraine auras usually go away on their own in about 30 minutes. If you’re also experiencing a headache, take a pain reliever like Advil Migraine to stop it from getting worse. Try the following during your migraine with aura: rest your eyes, remove yourself from harsh lighting or sunlight, take a break from looking at screens, and relax.2,3 If you smoke, quitting smoking is often recommended for frequent migraine sufferers.4

Try Advil Migraine

If you’re suffering from migraines, we recommend turning to the only FDA-approved OTC migraine medicine in a liquid-filled capsule. Advil Migraine is clinically proven to control migraines and related symptoms, including light sensitivity and nausea. These liquid-filled capsules provide the relief you need so you can control your migraine before it controls you.

SOURCES

  1. Ocular migraine: When to seek help. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/expert-answers/ocular-migraine/faq-20058113. Accessed 11/9/21.
  2. Ocular Migraines: Understanding & Treating Ocular Migraine. AMF. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/understanding-ocular-migraine/. Accessed 11/9/21.
  3. Ocular Migraines. Optometrists.org. https://www.optometrists.org/vision-therapy/neuro-optometry/vestibular-dysfunction/vision-dizziness-and-imbalance/ocular-migraines/. Accessed 11/9/21.
  4. Retinal migraine. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/retinal-migraine/. Accessed 11/9/21.

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