Knowing Ocular Migraines

Symptoms

Ocular migraines typically cause vision loss in one eye, which is followed by a severe headache. However, before a headache occurs, individuals experiencing an ocular migraine may also have blurry vision, blank spots in vision, flashes of light, or other strange visual patterns. The headaches associated with ocular migraines can last anywhere from four hours to seventy-two hours. They also typically a throbbing pain and feel worse when the patient moves around. Patients are also likely to experience nausea and vomiting, as well as a heightened sensitivity to light or sound (even both). Sometimes confused with migraines with aura, ocular migraines are unique in that symptoms are only experienced in a single eye. When it comes to migraines with aura, vision issues occur in both eyes instead.

Diagnosis

A doctor will speak to the patient about symptoms and examine their eyes. Of course, before reaching a final diagnosis of ocular migraines, doctors will also work to rule out other potential conditions. These other conditions include sickle cell disease, spasms in the artery bringing blood to the retina, giant cell arteritis, and other blood vessel problems related to autoimmune conditions. After ruling out these conditions and diagnosing ocular migraines through the eye exam and review of symptoms, doctors will then focus on treatment.