Visual or ocular migraines are a neurological condition and category of migraine that include both aura and retinal migraines, which visual changes and disturbances occur along with a headache. They are fairly common among those who suffer from migraine headaches. The visual disturbances can include light flashes, light sensitivity or blind spots.
Visual or ocular migraines are categorized depending on if one or both eyes are affected by a change in vision.
Visual disturbances can be experienced by seeing stars or loss of vision with or without a headache. The silent type of migraine is known as an acephalgic migraine.
Types
Retinal Migraine
Retinal migraines are more rare than aura type migraines with research showing that they can occur in young children and may run in families. A retinal migraine is more likely to affect those who experience general migraine headaches.
The experience of having a retinal migraine comes with seeing a flashing or strobing light in one eye that can often result in a temporary reduction or loss of vision in the affected eye.
These type of visual disturbances are different from aura migraines in that they usually don’t last as long and effect only one eye. Typically, a retinal migraine will last 5-20 minutes per episode and could happen a few times a day.
In rare conditions a person could lose their sight permanently. Retinal migraines are more intrusive than aura migraines yet share some of the similar symptoms. It is vital that you speak to your doctor as soon as you can if you are experiencing retinal migraine 7 times a month. Managing and treatment is critical in order to save your vision. Especially if there is any severe changes in your vision during an episode.
Aura Migraine
The American Migraine Foundation states that the difference of an aura from a retinal migraine is that both eyes are affected with an aura migraine. The field of vision is disturbed with a small blind spot or flickering light sensation that can grow . It forms a “C” shape on one side of one’s visual field that can last from 5-60 minutes.
Other symptoms of Aura Migraines include:
bright and flashing light
blind spots
seeing shapes, stars and other patterns
A person with an aura migraine can also experience:
tingling sensation
speaking difficulties
numbness
tinnitus or ringing in the ears
muscular facial weakness on one side
Causes
Both aura and retinal type migraines share similar symptoms as well as having their own unique set of symptoms.
For instance the triggers shared by both aura and retinal migraine are the following:
smoking
dehydration
high blood pressure
stress
low blood sugar
bending over or sudden change in head position
heat
high altitudes
Retinal migraine
Causes of retinal migraine could have to do with blood flow restriction of the arteries within the retina in the back of the eye. A narrowing of these arteries reduce the amount of circulation needed for proper vision. Other experts seem to believe that any visual disturbances should be directed towards bioelectrical disturbances in the retina. Similar to what they believe happens with aura migraine.
Aura migraine
The research indicates that a change of the bioelectrical activity is the cause of aura migraine. It suggests that quick positively charged neurons along with the supporting glial cells, depolarize, impacting the eyes visual fields ability and cause visual and aura related symptoms.
List of triggers for aura migraine
stress and anxiety
bright lights
loud sounds
strong odors
dehydration
insomnia and too much sleep
menstruation
caffeine
Visual migraine and stroke
Research shows that there is a small increase risk of those who experience aura migraine to have a stroke in their lifetime. The Stroke Association claims that the more prominent indicators are still, smoking and high blood pressure. But, in older adults who experience migraine headaches with visual aura do have a twice as likely increase risk of ischemic stroke.
Treatment
Most treatment for symptoms of visual migraine are over the counter (OTC) pain relievers and anti- nausea drugs, naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin and other motion sickness medications.
Neurofeedback therapy for migraine pain and visual disturbances has shown much promise in an overall reduction of severity and occurrences. It involves changing harmful brainwave patterns so the nervous system can better communicate with itself. Also, since the data shows that with visual migraine there is an imbalance of bio-electrical activity in the retina area of the eye. Neurofeedback therapy would make sense. Since it directly targets the brains bio-electric network to establish healthier brainwave states.
Visual migraine headaches can be improved with or without medication. Speak to a medical professional or doctor to determine what is the best course of action to take for you. Because being or staying in pain can be an option.
-A Balance Brain is a Pain Free Brain-