Learn More About Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraines are a period of strange visual sensations that may, or may not be followed by a migraine headache.
Who gets them?
They are most common in people who already suffer from classic migraine.
So what happens?
An ocular migraine usually only happens in one eye. When it begins, you may just notice that something is off with your sight.
You may see a tiny spot. Over a period of a few minutes, that spot may get bigger. You may start to lose your vision in patches. The expanded spot may start to shimmer or develop a colored or zig-zagged border.
This pattern may get bigger until it is not only in the center of your vision – but in the outer part too. Usually over 15-30 minutes the distortion may travel out to the side of your vision as well and then simply disappear.
You may, or may not go on to develop a migraine headache. Many people who suffer with this say that they only feel tired after the experience.
What causes ocular migraine?
No one’s quite sure – but it is believed to be caused by an unusual stimulation of the nerves at the back of the brain. In classical migraine, a spasm affects the surface of the brain. In ocular migraine, the blood supply to the eye or the supply to the vision area of the brain is affected.
How often do they happen?
In the same way as classic migraines, ocular ones seem to happen with no particular pattern. You may find that you have several in one week and then not suffer any more at all for months or even years.
Do they have any warning, like a migraine aura?
Some people find that they are extra-sensitive to light and/or sound and this is their signal that an ocular migraine could be on the way.
So who do I go to see – a Doctor or an ophthalmologist?
Many people often go and see their ophthalmologist as they are worried that they are losing their sight. People starting with ocular migraine should also see a neurologist so that other conditions which can give rise to the same sort of symptoms can be ruled out. These include a blood clot in the retinal artery, migraine with aura and stroke.
What treatment can I get for them?
Ocular migraines themselves don’t usually require treatment. They appear to be triggered by the same triggers common to migraine. Prevention is the best way of coping with them:
- Avoid known triggers
- Keep stress levels down
- Keep to a regular routine
- Make sure you get enough sleep
If they are followed by a migraine headache, the usual migraine medications might be prescribed by your Doctor.
Please note: Triptans, which are now commonly used for migraine treatment should not be used for people with ocular migraine. This is because they work by reducing the enlargement of blood vessels and therefore get rid of the pressure on nerves.
This constricting effect could give rise to problems with the blood vessels of the retina and could even result in lost vision.
Triptans include:
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
- Naratriptan (Amerge)
There are other triptans too. If worried or in any doubt, please see your Doctor.
