Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
This article will look at both types. Because the terminology can be confusing, talk to an eye doctor if you think you have ocular migraines, so that you understand your condition and any potential complications.
Verywell / Mira Norian
Types of Ocular Migraines
Ocular migraines aresubtypes of migraines.There are two types of ocular migraines:migraine with auraandretinal migraine.
Migraine With Aura
In a migraine with aura, you may have blind spots and see zig-zag lines, stars, or flashing lights in one or both eyes.
Vision changes and visual disturbances are the primary symptom, but you may also find your speech or movement are affected.You may feel a tingling sensation on one side of your face, or it may travel down your body. These symptoms are short lived and have no lasting effects.
Retinal Migraine
A retinal migraine affects only one eye and can occur before or during a headache. The symptoms, which can be more serious than those for a migraine with aura, may include temporary blindness or decreased vision.
If you experience a retinal migraine, it’s important to see an eye doctor, because, though rare, a retinal migraine can lead to permanent vision loss.
Causes of Ocular Migraines
Migraines are a neurological disease, but their root cause isn’t fully understood.
Migraines are associated with fluctuations in hormones like serotonin and estrogen, which may restrict blood flow to the brain.Some experts think retinal migraines may be due to blood vessel spasms or changes in the nerve cells in the retina.
While the cause is unclear, it is possible to determine what may trigger a migraine, which can aid in prevention.
Triggers vary from person to person, but some common triggers include:
Keeping a journal of when you experience an ocular migraine can help you identify triggers.
Diagnosing Ocular Migraines
If you notice temporary visual disturbances before a headache which make you sensitive to light or feel nauseous, contact your healthcare provider. They can help diagnose ocular migraines.
During an examination, they will ask you to describe your symptoms and may order an imaging test such as anMRI(magnetic resonance imaging).
Because it’s important to rule out other underlying conditions, they may also refer you to anophthalmologist, who specializes in eye conditions, or aneurologist, who is an expert in conditions of the nervous system.
Treatment of Ocular Migraines
There is no specific treatment for ocular migraines, but the medications available to help treat and prevent migraine headaches can aid visual symptoms too.
Some common treatment and prevention options for migraines include:
If you have retinal migraines, avoid using triptans or ergots, as they can increase the risk of complications.Also, people with retinal migraine should stop hormonal birth control and stop smoking.
Medications for Treating Migraine Headaches
Coping With Ocular Migraines
Ocular migraines can be distressing, but they are temporary. If you notice vision changes that are bothering you, find a dark, quiet place to relax until they pass.
Migraines are often treatable, but because there are many different medications available, it may take some trial and error to find the ones that prevent or lessen the frequency of your migraines.
Lifestyle changes, like getting good sleep and eating regularly, and knowing your triggers may help reduce the frequency of your ocular migraines.
How to Prevent Migraines
A Word From Verywell
4 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.American Migraine Foundation.Understanding ocular migraine.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How a migraine happens.Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine.
4 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.American Migraine Foundation.Understanding ocular migraine.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How a migraine happens.Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine.
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.
American Migraine Foundation.Understanding ocular migraine.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How a migraine happens.Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine.
American Migraine Foundation.Understanding ocular migraine.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.How a migraine happens.
Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.
American Migraine Foundation.Retinal migraine.
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