OCULAR MIGRAINE – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Introduction

Have you ever experienced temporary vision loss or shimmering lights in one eye followed by a pounding headache? You might have had an ocular migraine. Although frightening, ocular migraines are typically short-lived and rarely cause lasting damage to the eye. However, understanding their triggers, symptoms, and management can help prevent recurring episodes.

What Is an Ocular Migraine?

An ocular migraine (also known as a retinal migraine) is a rare condition that causes temporary visual disturbances in one eye. Unlike typical migraines, which affect both eyes, ocular migraines impact only one eye and can result in partial or complete vision loss, lasting from a few minutes to about an hour.

Causes and Triggers

The exact cause of ocular migraines is not fully understood, but experts believe they occur due to a temporary reduction in blood flow or spasms of blood vessels in the retina.

Common triggers include:

• Stress or emotional tension
• Bright or flickering lights
• Hormonal changes (e.g., during menstruation)
• Dehydration or skipping meals
• Excessive caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
• Lack of sleep

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear suddenly and may include:

• Flashes or flickering lights in one eye
• Zigzag or wavy patterns (visual aura)
• Partial or complete vision loss in one eye
• Headache (before, during, or after the visual disturbance)

It’s important to note that these symptoms typically resolve completely after a short period.

Diagnosis

An eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination and may recommend imaging tests to rule out other causes, such as retinal detachment or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Keeping a symptom diary helps in identifying triggers.

Treatment and Management

There’s no specific cure for ocular migraines, but managing triggers and lifestyle adjustments can help reduce recurrence.

• Avoid known triggers (stress, certain foods, dehydration)
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Stay hydrated
• Use prescribed migraine medications if recommended by your doctor

Conclusion

Ocular migraines may be unsettling, but they are usually harmless and temporary. If you experience recurrent or prolonged vision loss, seek immediate medical attention, as similar symptoms can also indicate more serious eye or neurological conditions.

Stay tuned as we uncover more information on ocular migraine in our next post.

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