Ocular migraine

An ocular migraine (also known as a retinal migraine) is a temporary visual disturbance, a temporary distortion or loss of vision in one eye, sometimes accompanied by headaches. Although it may seem dangerous, it is usually not worth worrying about; the symptoms disappear spontaneously after about 30 minutes. Symptoms of ocular migraine usually go away on their own, so most people do not need treatment. The best thing to do is to let your eyes rest until the symptoms subside and vision returns to normal.

• Temporary loss of vision in one eye (usually the same eye each time);
• Blurred vision – or blurred vision in one eye;
• Flashes of light, shimmering patterns or blind spots in the field of view;
• The onset of headache before, during or after the onset of vision loss;
• Loss of peripheral vision.

The loss of vision usually lasts for about 10-20 minutes, and then slowly starts to return. In some cases it can last longer, but rarely for more than an hour.

Ocular migraine is different from migraine with aura; the latter is characterised by flashes of light and blind spots in both eyes. Ocular migraine is not always accompanied by a headache, which is typical of normal migraine.

Ocular migraines occur when blood flow to the eyes is reduced due to a sudden constriction of blood vessels. When the blood vessels relax, normal blood flow is restored and symptoms disappear. Normally, there is no lasting damage to the eye. The provoking factors are:

• Stresses;
• High blood pressure;
• Dehydration;
• Low blood sugar;
• Excessive heat;
• Physical exercise;
• Leaning forward;
• Smoking;
• Certain types of contraceptives.

It is also more common in women, in people over 40 and in those with a family history of migraine or headaches.

Avoiding these provoking factors is the first step in preventing ocular migraines. So, pay attention to when a migraine attack occurs so that you can find out which factor triggered it.

Ocular migraine can be diagnosed by eye examinations and by asking questions about the symptoms. It is important to properly differentiate and exclude disorders with similar symptoms. Once ocular migraine has been diagnosed, its treatment and prevention can be discussed.