How common are ocular migraines?

It's rare. Some research suggests that in many cases, the symptoms are due to other problems. Regular migraine attacks can also cause vision problems, called an aura, which can involve flashing lights and blind spots. But these symptoms usually happen in both eyes.

Are ocular migraines rare?

Ocular migraines are a rare condition that can be defined as a headache followed by vision changes. You may see lines, shimmering lights, stars, or at times blind spots. Some people will experience temporary blindness in one eye.

Why am I suddenly getting ocular migraines?

Harsh lighting, long screen time, other visual strain, stress, dehydration, food additives, and other causes all may trigger an ocular migraine, a subtype that focuses in the eye and causes vision changes.

What percent of the population has ocular migraines?

Isolated migraine visual aura without headache is present in 3.2% of the general population. It is not uncommon for individuals who describe such visual phenomenon without headache to present to an ophthalmologist first.

Can ocular migraines happen frequently?

Frequent ocular migraines are usually the result of a trigger of some type. Like migraines, ocular migraines can be triggered by a variety of things. Some examples include: Lights, sounds, or smells.

Ocular Migraines

Can anxiety cause ocular migraines?

Stress is a common trigger of migraine headaches, including ocular migraine headaches. Since anxiety causes stress, anxiety is a common cause of migraine headaches, including ocular migraine headaches.

Why do I see zig zags in my vision?

Ocular Migraine Symptoms

People with ocular migraines can have a variety of visual symptoms. Typically you will see a small, enlarging blind spot (scotoma) in your central vision with bright, flickering lights (scintillations) or a shimmering zig-zag line (metamorphopsia) inside the blind spot.

What happens in the brain during an ocular migraine?

The result: The brain produces an outsize reaction to the trigger, its electrical system (mis)firing on all cylinders. This electrical activity causes a change in blood flow to the brain, which in turn affects the brain's nerves, causing pain.

When should I be concerned about ocular migraines?

It is important to talk with a doctor about severe, frequent, or disabling headaches, as well as those that cause other symptoms, such as sensory problems or nausea. A person should seek emergency care for visual symptoms that affect only one eye.

What is the fastest way to cure an ocular migraine?

The visual portion of an ocular migraine typically lasts less than 60 minutes, so most people don't need treatment. It's best to stop what you're doing and rest your eyes until your vision goes back to normal. If you have a headache, take a pain reliever that your doctor recommends.

Can brain tumors cause ocular migraines?

In another study, Forsyth et al. [5] reported that headaches were similar to ten- sion-type in 77%, migraine-type in 9%, and other types in 14% of 111 patients with a brain tumor. Our cases presented with only migraine-type headache with migraine-like visual aura due to an astrocytoma.

Can you have ocular migraine without headache?

Yes, It Can Happen, and It's Called an Ocular Migraine. Seeing spots, zig-zags, flashes of light or double vision can be a sign of an ocular migraine, a kind of migraine without a headache.

Is kaleidoscope vision serious?

Kaleidoscopic vision is most often a result of a visual migraine. The symptoms will usually pass within 30 minutes, and you may experience no headache pain at all. But it can be a sign of something more serious, including an impending stroke or serious brain injury.

Can dehydration cause ocular migraines?

Dehydration. Though often overlooked, dehydration is one of the most common causes of migraine headaches—and thus, of visual and ocular migraines. For some especially migraine-sensitive folks, even mild dehydration can trigger a migraine event.

Are ocular migraines related to strokes?

The bottom line. Ocular migraine, or migraine with aura, and stroke are two different conditions. Having an attack doesn't mean you're having a stroke or are about to have one. However, research has shown that people with migraine with aura are at an increased risk of stroke.

Are Retinal Migraines common?

Retinal migraine is considered relatively rare. It's more common for a different type of migraine to affect vision in both eyes, not just one. Older research from 2005 puts the frequency at about 1 in 200 people.

What is the difference between retinal migraine and ocular migraine?

Retinal Migraine. People may use the terms ocular migraine and retinal migraine to mean the same thing, but there are some important differences. An ocular migraine generally occurs in both eyes. A retinal migraine is rare and tends to occur in just one eye, when vessels that supply the eye with blood narrow.

How long do visual auras last?

Auras are not the same for all people, so you also might experience bright spots or flashes. Auras are sometimes accompanied by a partial loss of vision referred to as a scotoma. Auras commonly last 10 to 30 minutes.

What do optical migraines look like?

“Ocular Migraine” is a term that has been used to refer to a number of migraine subtypes that are characterized by a variety of visual disturbances including visual loss, blind spots, zig-zag lines, or seeing stars. Unlike other forms of migraine, they may occur without any accompanying head pain.

Can sinus pressure cause ocular migraines?

Believe it or not, inflamed sinuses are a common symptom or trigger for multiple headache disorders, including migraine. Research showed, the majority of people who think they have sinus headache actually have Migraine. So, making sure you've got a good diagnosis really is that important.

Does ocular migraine affect both eyes?

The symptoms of the two conditions are almost the same except for a few telltale signs. The main difference is a migraine with aura will affect both eyes while an ocular migraine affects only one. Both have visual disturbances such as: Flashes of light.

Is an ocular migraine a seizure?

In general, migraines do not cause seizures. Migraines and seizures are two different neurologic problems that have overlapping symptoms. Many of the symptoms that occur before a migraine are similar to symptoms experienced before a seizure.

Can an optometrist help with ocular migraines?

The optometrist serves to guide patients to the appropriate care when it comes to ocular migraines or one of their differentials.

Why do I keep getting visual auras?

The electrical and chemical waves can occur with normal functioning of the nerves and do not cause harm to the brain. Many of the same factors that trigger migraine can also trigger migraine with aura, including stress, bright lights, some foods and medications, too much or too little sleep, and menstruation.