Ophthalmic migraine is the migraine that involves the eyes but there is no headache. Light flashes may look like jagged lines/ heat waves either in 1 or may be both eyes and may last up to 10-20 min without a headache. It is an eye migraine producing visual symptoms with/ without headache. It has been associated with some changes happening in blood circulation of brain.
Accurate diagnosis require identifying specific causes of visual symptoms that needs to rule out possibility of other disease/ disorders producing similar kind of symptoms. Common triggers causing ophthalmic migraine is temporary contraction or seizure of blood vessels that are located behind eyes. Hormonal changes, food chemicals, medication and flashing lights could be other causes of ophthalmic migraine.
Migraine
Visual changes like small blind spot/ shimmering/ zigzag lights that last for 20-30 min can be noticed. And you may feel pain in one eye. Pain is usually experienced behind eye and maybe because of poor blood circulation to eye that is caused by vasospasm. It is constriction of blood vessels or poor blood circulation in brain that causes it.
It can be diagnosed using fundoscope by doctor to get accurate diagnosis. This device indicates reduction in the flow of blood to eyes.
Ophthalmic migraines are certainly frightening and occur without any warning. It is not necessary to feel typical pain that accompanies traditional migraine. These are accompanied by halos, flashing lights, rainbows or even other scary optical effects. Main causes of this type of migraines are
- Stress is a major cause of this type of migraine, so learn to relax your mind.
- Menstruation period or right before menstruation, this type of migraine may get triggered.
- Hunger may act as trigger to this kind of migraine. Ensure eating regular and healthy meal to ward off this aspect.
- Alcohol may raise frequency of this kind of migraine so it is better to avoid drinking.
- Caffeine must be avoided especially if they are highly sweetened. Caffeine present in coffee may cause severe migraines of this kind.
There is no or very little treatment available for ophthalmic migraines as they are not very clearly understood. Symptoms are mild, painless and don't last long. As symptoms don't state an eye disease, eye doctor may not be able to treat properly. But if face them frequently, you may consult the physician and start medication.
Best treatment indicated so far is to be still and stay like that until symptoms passes. Vision disturbance caused is real and may cause temporary blindness so in case of driving, it would be imperative to stop and you may continue once migraine gets passed. Some people complain of lingering affect and must consult doctor as well as eye doctor. Symptoms of migraine are frightening, but it is not a serious condition. It may help to note your action before onset of migraine. It may help in figuring out if any particular food/ beverage/stress are triggering it.
Ophthalmic Migraine - What Causes These? How to Handle Your Migraine in an Easy and Fast Way Migraine
