Ocular migraines

To know them is to hate them. Ocular migraines can be scary and mysterious.

What is an ocular migraine? It's an episode of vision loss that is sometimes accompanied by a headache. Are ocular migraines dangerous? Fortunately, true ocular migraines are rather harmless. Because ocular migraines can resemble more-serious conditions, though, you'll want to check with your doctor if you think you've had one. 

Below, we'll discuss ocular migraine causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention. Because we like you, we'll also cover a bonus item: ocular migraines during pregnancy. 

Ocular migraine causes 

Doctors think that ocular migraines are caused by blood vessel spasms in or behind the eye. Optometrist Matthew Alpert explains that those blood vessel spasms can result in various visual distortions. He also notes that ocular migraines are sometimes unexplainable. 

WebMD agrees that experts aren't sure what causes ocular migraine. So, let us know if you have any idea as to what causes ocular migraines. Your guess is apparently almost as good as any expert's. 

Ocular migraine symptoms 

Ocular migraines are marked by vision loss and auras like flashing lights, zigzagging patterns, blind spots, and stars. Just imagine looking through a kaleidoscope. While ocular migraines aren't necessarily painful, other ocular migraine symptoms are headaches, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and numbness. 

We should distinguish true ocular migraines (or migraine auras) from a potentially serious condition with which they're often confused: retinal migraines. Symptoms of ocular migraine in one eye only could indicate a retinal migraine. In this case, vision loss usually isn't related to the migraine, and you should seek medical attention. 

Ocular migraine treatments 

Are you reading this in the midst of an ocular migraine? First off, we're impressed. Second, you're probably most concerned with how to get rid of an ocular migraine. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help if you're in pain. Your doctor might prescribe stronger medication later on if necessary. 

For now, stop what you're doing and rest your eyes until they return to normal. Dr. Alpert claims that the best way to escape headaches after the aura stage is to relax and enjoy the show. That's probably easier said than done. 

Ocular migraine prevention 

Although experts aren't sure exactly what triggers an ocular migraine, the American Optometric Association suggests avoiding migraine triggers in general for ocular migraine prevention. These triggers can include stress, hormonal changes, bright or flashing lights, life, drinking alcohol, kids, poor sleep, kids, and not eating enough. Dietary triggers, however, seem less likely to bring about ocular migraines. 

Bonus: ocular migraines during pregnancy

Finally, a word on ocular migraines during pregnancy from the U.K.'s National Migraine Centre (please read in your best British accent): "It is not uncommon for a woman to have her first attack of migraine aura during pregnancy... If your doctor confirms that this is a migraine, there is no need to be concerned." 

We know that hormonal changes may be linked to ocular migraine. Pregnancy can cause hormones to fluctuate, which may play a role in migraine symptoms developing.