Ocular migraines can be a bit confusing, because there are two types of incidents that may occur. Ocular migraines describe incidents where a headache (migraine) has a negative impact on a person's vision. In other cases, ocular migraines refer to retinal migraines where a person temporarily experiences blindness or diminished vision. Here is a detailed look at the causes, symptoms, and treatments of both types of ocular migraines.
Ocular Migraine Symptoms
Ocular migraines will involve headaches that are accompanied by flashing lights, blind spots in a person's field of vision, or blindness in one eye. It is possible for these headaches to last anywhere from one to 72 hours, and the intensity can vary. Occasionally, the headache only impacts one side of the head, and feels worse if you move a lot.
Many people who suffer from ocular migraines will also suffer from nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. The vomiting and nausea is often brought on by a combination of the pain and inability to see properly, while light is a logical trigger for eye pain. It is important to keep in mind that ocular migraines only involve problems in one eye. Those who are suffering from flashing lights or blind spots in both eyes are not experiencing ocular migraines.
Ocular Migraine Causes
There is no clear consensus on what causes an ocular migraine, but there are a few theories. Many experts believe that blood vessel spasms lead to this problem, and these changes can spread to nerve cells in a person's retina. If someone suffers from these types of migraines a lot, they must speak to a doctor. There is a worry that repeated problems may lead to permanent vision problems in the affected eye.
Diagnosing Ocular Migraines
When diagnosing ocular migraines, doctors will attempt to rule out any other condition. They will examine a patient's eyes to rule out amaurosis fugax (temporary blindness due to lack of blood flow to the eye), giant cell arthritis (blood vessel inflammation that leads to vision problems), or drug use. By ruling out the above conditions, a doctor will feel confident about prescribing medication to treat ocular migraines. It is important to consult a doctor if you suffer from migraines, because every case is unique.
Two people suffering from ocular migraines often have the condition due to a different reason, which means that they will need a different treatment.
Ocular Migraine Treatments
Most doctors will start off by recommending aspirin to alleviate the symptoms of a migraine. This is often the best solution if someone does not experience these migraines regularly. For those who are often struck down by an ocular migraine, doctors will recommend epilepsy medicine, such as Depakote or Topamax. Tricyclic anti depressants are also a possible solution, while some doctors say that taking beta blockers prevents ocular migraines.
Due to the unusual nature of the condition, and its causes, there is no set treatment for ocular migraines. This may seem unsettling to those who suffer from the condition, but it is nothing to fear as future cases can be prevented through the above treatments.
