Ocular migraines can interfere with your ability to perform routine tasks like reading, writing, or driving as they cause visual disturbances and even temporary vision loss. Seek help from pain doctors experienced in diagnosing and treating every type of headache if your symptoms are occurring too frequently and the episodes last longer than the previous ones. Pain management experts at Advanced Headache Center can diagnose the true causes of your pain and recommend the best line of treatment to provide relief.
A migraine that takes place in the eye and causes visual disturbances is known as ocular migraine or migraine of the eye. Also known as optical migraine, an ocular migraine can manifest as a variety of different visual disturbances. They can be frightening, but in most cases, they are harmless and short-lived, and the eyesight goes back to normal afterward.
It is a common occurrence, especially for those who experience an aura before the migraine. This condition is characterized by temporary vision loss or even temporary blindness in one eye.
Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms of ocular migraine include:
For some people, ocular migraines can be painless. They can also occur with or follow a migraine headache. An ocular migraine is different from an aura as it typically occurs in one eye and lasts only a few minutes to an hour. Ocular migraines can affect your ability to perform tasks like reading, writing, or driving. Luckily, the symptoms are temporary, and an ocular migraine is not considered a dangerous condition.
Migraines are caused by cortical spreading depression. It is a medical term used for describing abnormal activity in the brain that usually starts in the occipital lobe or the back of the head and slowly but steadily spreads through the rest of the brain. Medical researchers believe that ocular migraine has the same causes as classic migraine, and it can result from the same phenomenon that occurs in the retina of the eye.
The exact causes of ocular migraines are not known. A family history of migraines and genetic links are identified as risk factors. It is necessary to see a pain doctor to get the optical migraine properly diagnosed, to know what is causing it and if it is an indication of some underlying condition.
Causes of frequent ocular migraines include:
Keeping a track of ocular migraines and observing what triggers them can determine what is causing them. However, a sudden increase in the frequency of ocular migraines is cause for concern, and you must consult a headache specialist to know more about it and get it properly diagnosed. Also, if you are suffering from this kind of pain and symptoms for the first time, seek medical help.
Optical migraines are challenging to treat as they occur for a very short time and usually go away within an hour. It is necessary to consult a doctor who will recommend the medications according to the frequency of the migraines as the treatment usually focuses on preventing and reducing the symptoms.
Your doctor might suggest mediations that include:
In certain cases, the medication used for treating epilepsy has also proved helpful with an ocular migraine.
If you are performing tasks that require a clear vision when an ocular migraine occurs, stop what you are doing and relax until it passes. Even if you are driving, pull off the road and wait for your vision to return to normal before moving forward.
There is no cure for optical migraines, but medications, lifestyle adjustments, and other therapies can ease the symptoms and reduce the frequency of migraines. Consulting an expert pain doctor is essential as you become sensitive to symptoms with every migraine episode, and it can lead to chronic headaches and migraines.
You must seek medical help immediately if your ocular migraines are accompanied by other symptoms that include:
Even if the optical migraines exist alone and do not result from an underlying condition, the pain can be overwhelming and affect your life to a great extent. You should rest and avoid triggers such as bright light until the visual disturbances have passed before doing anything.
Do not let ocular migraines affect your work and quality of life. Consult top-rated pain expert doctors experienced in diagnosing and treating every type of migraine to present the best solutions for alleviating your pain. Schedule an appointment with the experienced physicians at Advanced Headache Center to discuss your symptoms and get a unique perspective on the available treatment and prevention options.
Dr. Hosny is an Ivy League Trained, UCNS-accredited, board-certified headache specialist who offers the latest preventive and abortive treatments to provide safe and effective head pain relief. As an active member of prominent organizations and professional societies that advance headache science, education, and management, such as the National Headache Foundation, Dr. Hosney specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of head pain disorders, including tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches, to name a few.
Dr. Hosny's reputation for enhancing headache care quality through the use of the most effective and technologically advanced treatment options for persistent primary and secondary chronic headaches has been acknowledged by Castle Connolly and Healthgrades, where he has received over 200 positive reviews. Dr. Hosny is also recognized as a distinguished New York City physician and headache specialist by New York Magazine.
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