According to Los Angeles LASIK eye specialists, many people have experienced vision problems as a result of a migraine. Ocular migraines and visual migraines are two different conditions that can cause symptoms ranging from a headache to a blind spot to temporary vision loss. So, in order to treat and prevent these migraines, it is important to understand how they manifest and what makes them different from each other.
Ocular migraines have been known to cause severe symptoms like temporary vision loss, which can be alarming for many people to experience. The term ocular migraine defines a subtype of migraine that causes visual disturbances. People can experience these vision problems even without the signal of a headache or any other kind of pain.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of ocular migraines:
- Headache
- Blind spot
- Temporary blindness
- Temporary vision loss
When someone is experiencing an ocular migraine, it is common to have a small blind spot that gets bigger over time. These symptoms will usually last for no longer than 30 minutes. However, there are some cases in which full vision won’t return for an hour.
While visual migraines are sometimes confused with ocular migraines, they have slightly different symptoms that distinguish them. LASIK eye center specialists in Los Angeles have noticed a trend in how each migraine manifests. Ocular migraines will usually affect one eye while a visual migraine might affect both. Here are some of the symptoms that you could experience with a visual migraine:
- Flickering blind spot
- Blind spot that moves in field of vision
- Zig-zagging light
- Wavy ring of light
Both ocular and visual migraines are related to changes in blood flow. When the eye experiences a blood vessel spasm or a reduction in blood flow, this can affect the retina. The cause of this sudden inflammatory response may be linked to external triggers or genetics. A few common triggers include glaring lights, lack of sleep, stress, flickering lights, odors like perfume or smoke as well as substances like caffeine or alcohol.
The best way to prevent these migraines is to identify the trigger that causes them. Doctors recommend keeping a journal to record the circumstances and feelings leading up to a migraine. As you start to keep track of these factors, you will be able to notice patterns in how they occur. Stress, diet, and sleeping habits can all play a large role in how these migraines manifest. Another good reason for keeping track of your migraines is to share this information with your eye doctor. If you can’t find a connection, then maybe your doctor will be able to help you identify a potential trigger.
If you experience these migraines often enough and you can’t control the triggers, then your doctor may recommend a medication to treat the symptoms. The most important thing to remember is that these migraines are temporary and they can be controlled with the help of a medical professional and your own self-awareness. When you feel a migraine coming on, make sure that you are in a safe environment. Usually, the symptoms will subside with simple relaxation techniques.
