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Understanding Migraines and Vision Loss: Exploring Ocular Migraine Types

by ArticlesBlog

Migraines are debilitating headaches that affect millions of people worldwide. While most associated with severe head pain, migraines can also involve various visual disturbances, including temporary vision loss. These episodes, known as ocular migraines, can be frightening and confusing for those experiencing them.

What are Migraines and Vision Loss?

Migraines are neurological conditions characterized by recurring severe headaches often accompanied by other symptoms. Vision loss or visual disturbances are common occurrences during a migraine attack, affecting approximately 20% of migraine sufferers. These visual disturbances can manifest in various ways, including temporary blindness, blurred or distorted vision, zigzag lines, flashing lights, and blind spots. While vision loss can be alarming, it typically resolves within minutes to an hour.

Types of Ocular Migraines:

Ocular Migraine without Headache:

This type of ocular migraine, also known as a retinal migraine, is characterized by temporary vision loss or blindness in one eye. These episodes may last less than an hour and are typically painless. Although rare, they can be caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow or blood vessel spasms in the eye.

Ocular Migraine with Aura:

Ocular migraines with aura involve visual disturbances that precede or accompany the headache phase of a migraine attack. The aura typically appears as shimmering or flickering lights, zigzag patterns, or blind spots in the visual field. These visual symptoms can last for several minutes to an hour and are followed by a headache.

Persistent Aura without Infarction (Visual Snow Syndrome):

Visual Snow Syndrome is a rare condition characterized by persistent visual disturbances. People with this condition experience a constant overlay of flickering dots or static-like visual snow in their entire visual field. It is often associated with other migraine symptoms but may persist even in the absence of a headache.

Causes of Migraines and Vision Loss:

The exact causes of migraines and vision loss are not fully understood, but several factors can contribute to their occurrence. Some common triggers include:

Genetic Predisposition: Migraines and ocular migraines tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component in their development.

Vascular Changes: Migraine attacks are associated with changes in blood flow and blood vessel dilation in the brain and ocular structures. These changes can disrupt normal visual processing and lead to visual disturbances.

Hormonal Fluctuations: Many women experience migraines associated with hormonal changes, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger ocular migraines and vision loss.

Environmental Factors: Certain environmental factors, including bright lights, strong odors, loud noises, and weather changes, can act as triggers for migraines and ocular migraines in susceptible individuals.

Managing Ocular Migraines:

While ocular migraines can be distressing, they are usually benign and do not cause permanent vision loss. However, if you experience vision loss or visual disturbances for the first time, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention to rule out other serious conditions.

Here are some general strategies for managing ocular migraines:

Identify Triggers: Keep a diary to identify potential triggers and avoid them whenever possible.

Lifestyle Modifications: Maintain a regular sleep schedule, manage stress levels, exercise regularly, and ensure a balanced diet to minimize the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help alleviate symptoms during a migraine attack. In severe cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe specific medications to manage and prevent migraines.

Relaxation Techniques: Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress and tension, potentially decreasing the likelihood of migraines.

If you are concerned about ocular migraines give our office a call to ensure an accurate diagnosis and rule out other potential causes. By understanding the triggers and adopting preventive measures, individuals can effectively manage migraines and reduce the frequency and intensity of ocular migraines, improving their overall quality of life. Remember, early intervention and proper self-care are crucial in dealing with migraines and associated vision loss.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more Information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

migraine triggers

Migraine Triggers and Vision Loss

by ArticlesBlog

If you are someone who suffers from migraine headaches, you may also be in the 20% of people who experience ocular migraines – often realized as a precursor to a migraine.

An ocular migraine can cause vision loss or blindness in one eye for a short time — less than an hour. This happens before or along with a migraine headache. Regular migraine attacks can also cause vision problems, called an aura, which can involve flashing lights and blind spots. But these symptoms usually happen in both eyes.

This is a visual distortion that occurs in both eyes for a short period of time and may develop as a series of bright flickering lights that will gradually obscure your vision and then go away.

Visual migraines often appear suddenly and may create the sensation of looking through a cracked window. The visual migraine aura usually moves across your field of view and disappears within 30 minutes.

The symptoms of a visual migraine typically affect both eyes and can last 30 minutes or less. A migraine headache may occur shortly after the symptoms of a visual migraine subside or you may experience no headache at all.

Painless Ocular Migraine

In some cases, ocular migraines can occur without any accompanying headache. These typically involve a widening blurry patch in your vision that is surrounded by bright, flickering lights. This will gradually spread to cover the entire field of vision, taking between a few minutes to a half an hour before going away on its own.

The visual disruption may be the only symptom, but sometimes it’s accompanied by other sensory, speech, or motor problems. If you’re doing an activity or driving when an ocular migraine occurs, stop what you are doing. If one starts coming on while you’re driving, pull over until it passes, and it may be best to lie down and relax. While these ocular migraines are usually harmless, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam to be sure there aren’t any underlying issues with your vision.

Migraine Aura

Migraine auras include a variety of sensations that are often visual. Auras may also include other sensations, such as numbness, that precede or accompany a migraine. A migraine aura can sometimes occur without a headache.

Visual symptoms don’t last long. A migraine aura involving your vision will affect both eyes, and you may see:

  •         Flashes of light
  •         Zigzagging patterns
  •         Blind spots
  •         Shimmering spots or stars

Web MD suggests “The first step to preventing migraines is to avoid triggers. These often include:

  •         Stress
  •         Smoking
  •         High blood pressure
  •         Hormonal birth control pills
  •         Exercise
  •         Bending over
  •         High altitude
  •         Dehydration
  •         Low blood sugar
  •         Excessive heat

Although dietary triggers — such as caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners — can cause other types of migraines, they seem less likely to trigger ocular migraines.

If other treatments don’t work and you have four or more migraine days a month, your doctor may suggest preventive medicines. You can take these regularly to reduce the severity or frequency of headaches.”

Retinal Migraine

The most dangerous form of ocular migraine is a retinal migraine. Like an aura accompanying a migraine, a retinal migraine will usually occur before a bad headache sets in, but the difference is that the visual distortions are only in a single eye.

A retinal migraine — unlike a migraine aura — will affect only one eye, not both. But usually, loss of vision in one eye isn’t related to migraine. It’s generally caused by some other more serious condition.

Retinal migraines are the rarest form of ocular migraine, but if you’ve experienced them, you should definitely see a doctor, because they are usually caused by a more serious condition.

If you’re experiencing a blind spot or other visual disturbance and you’re not sure if it’s an ocular migraine or a visual migraine, then cover one eye at a time. If the visual disturbance is occurring in just one eye, it’s likely that it’s an ocular migraine. If it affects both eyes, it’s probably a visual migraine.

But don’t take chances. If you suddenly experience any sort of blind spot in your field of vision, call our office at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444 immediately to determine if it’s harmless or possibly a sign of something more serious, such as a retinal detachment.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more nformation, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

Eye Emergencies

EYE EMERGENCIES

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Eye Emergencies are often accompanied by pain. When should you act and seek emergency eye care? At Bissell Eye Care, we have invested in state of the art technology that can look into the back of the eye to determine what steps should be taken to best treat your injury.

Situations like being hit in the eye, a chemical burn, sudden onset of blurry or loss of vision, eye scratches, flashes of light or floaters, and abrupt headaches with or without visual impacts would qualify as an emergency and should be checked. A sudden or noticeable change in the quality of your vision must be addressed quickly. Vision changes often indicate a retinal or corneal defect that can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. One such defect is retinal detachment. If you’re seeing flashing lights and spots and/or a shower of floating spots from within the eye, you may have a detached retina.

Whenever possible, eye redness should be evaluated by a vision-care specialist who can differentiate the type of conjunctivitis and prescribe the proper treatment.

The American Optometric Association recommends seeking medical attention if you experience:

  • eye burning or stinging
  • one eye not moving like the other
  • decreased or double vision
  • light sensitivity
  • bruising and/or bleeding around the eye
  • blood in the white of the eye
  • discharge from the eye
  • severe itching
  • new or severe headaches

The best way to avoid unnecessary injury or eye infection is to practice good eye health and safety measures. This includes wearing protective eyewear when in hazardous working conditions, staying on top of your yearly eye exams, protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays with sunglasses, utilizing blue light protective lenses when working on computers or handheld devices, and practicing good hygiene when wearing contact lenses.

If you have questions or concern regarding your vision or an eye condition, Bissell Eye Care is here for you. Call our office at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444. When in doubt, get your eyes checked out!

DIGITAL EYE STRAIN

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Do your eyes hurt after a day at the office?

Think about all the screens you use every day – desktop, laptop, tablets, ipads, and smart phones.  “Digital Eye Strain” is the level of eye discomfort that occurs for many users.

Symptoms included are dry eyes, blurry vision, fatigue and neck and shoulder cramping. In a recent survey released by the Vision Council, a trade group for makers of eye care products, warned of serious long-term eye risk, including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Because of intense staring, we don’t blink as much when using screens and therefore don’t spread tears across the eyes, causing dryness.  A solution is to blink every 10 seconds or so.  People using a computer daily could stare at the screen 6-10 hours a day.

Here are some prevention tips from organizations such as Prevent Blindness, the National Eye Institute, and Get Eye Smart:

Make changes to your computer screen, such as:

  • Place the screen 20-26 inches away from your eyes and a little below eye level.
  • Regularly clean off dust and fingerprints from the screen. Smudges on the screen can reduce contrast and increase problems with glare and reflections.
  • Choose screens that tilt and swivel.
  • Consider using a glare filter over your screen.

In addition to promoting cardiovascular health, stepping away from computer screens periodically will help prevent digital eye strain.

Glasses can be tinted and regular eye exams should be done to determine if you may need a prescription change, or if the amount of time you’re spending at your desk is leading to tired or dry eyes.

About the author:  John D. Bissell, OD is the owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services.    Bissell Eye Care offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.

About the author:  John D.  Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify.  The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.