Optical Migraines Are From Classic Migraines..


Optical migraines affect the vision.

Ocular migraine, or eye migraines are the same. They involve visual disturbances when blood vessels constrict and dilate in the brain. They're annoying and the first time can be very frighting. One of our visitors made a comment that after awhile they can be entertaining. I imagine not all that have this migraine would agree.

This migraine isn't like the common migraine, where the symptoms are nausea, and vomiting.

What is an optical migraine.

This headache, unlike the common migraine, involves an aura (visual)that has no pain from it (eyes). As with all migraine sufferers, symptoms vary with migraines. No one Person has the same symptoms as another, and can be different with each attack.  Symptoms that may go with this attack are:

  • Nausea and vomiting. 
  • Throbbing intense pain. 
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or face. 
  • Hypersensitivity to sound, light, or smells. 
  • If pain is had, most likely will start on one side of the head and extend to both sides. 
  • The optical part and will start a few minutes to a half hour before the actual headache. 

These symptoms will include:

  • Flashing lights or zigzag patterns 
  • Distorted or blurry vision also can be experienced with an optical migraine. 

The aura can last up to an hour and fades once the headache begins. They could last to the point where they could disrupt daily activities such as working, the ability to drive, reading, watching TV, or doing household chores. 

In another page I wrote about talking to a young girl that explained the visual migraine she experienced.  She had a headache for a couple of weeks, and then began experiencing the  migraine with aura that was accompanied by a severe migraine. She had to go to the ER.

Why you should visit a doctor.

Keep in mind if there's a change in the visual pattern, a doctor should be consulted in this case because visual changes can also be caused by:

  • Partial seizures. 
  • A retina in the eye could become detached. 
  • You could have a transient ischemic attack, or even a mini stroke.  

Is one person more likely to experience this migraine than another? Visual migraines are believed to be the constriction of blood vessels, which in turn reduces the flow of blood to the eye.

What is the cause or trigger for an optical migraine.


It's thought that certain foods, or everyday activities can trigger these migraines.

Some specialist say  eating:

If you're under forty, a woman, and have a history of migraine headaches in your family, you're more prone to these eye migraines than other migraine sufferers.

Medicines that could be prescribed for visual migraines.

The medicines a doctor would prescribe would be left up to him/her. Basically the same treatment would be given as in any migraines.These will be to relive eye migraine attacks. An example would be:

  • Beta blockers 
  • Antidepressants 
  • Antiepileptic drugs

If there's severe headaches after the visual disturbance, triptans could be given  for the pain. Sleeping, and resting in a dark room is often effective in relieving the symptoms.

Natural migraine relief could be looked into. 

Side effects of prescription drugs can be undesirable. Herbs and vitamins and minerals have been used much longer than conventional drugs.

Thanks for reading, we hope this answered the question.

Our last page is about a classic migraine, and our next page in on a tough migraine called the status migraine. Home page from optical migraines. Web site with info on a visual migraine.

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