Ocular Migraine: All You Need To Know About It

Our whole body is always at risk of catching various diseases related to different body parts. But, if we ask you which body part you think is the most sensitive, what would your answer be? Many of you might say it’s our eye, right? Our eyes and vision can get damaged easily, which is quite sensitive. 

We all live in an era where eye problems are high. We know that using mobiles, television, computers, and laptops is normal nowadays in our homes and workplaces. And, using all these devices for a longer duration can cause strain to your eyes and can affect them even more dangerously. One of the most common eye problems that one can suffer is Ocular migraines.

Ocular Migraines: What Do You Know About It? 

Ocular migraine refers to a group of migraine subclasses that end up causing eye conditions. They can appear with or without the suffering of a vintage migraine attack. Many people suffering from it get to see glistening lights or stars when they are having an ocular migraine flare. This is not it, as sometimes it leads to blind spots in your eyes. 

The phrase “ocular migraine” can be perplexing, but it usually refers to a headache with eye-light changes. However, the term is interchangeably used when discussing two distinct conditions. You can even refer to it as two different visual and ocular migraine types. One of them is the visual migraine aura, which is usually not serious. And the second one is retinal migraine, which may indicate something severe. 

You should know that an ocular migraine flare is so fatal that it can impair your ability to read or write. The symptoms are transient, and an eye migraine is not usually considered a significant condition. 

Optical Migraine: What Are Its Symptoms? 

As we are talking about optical migraine here, let us quickly look at some of the most common ocular migraine symptoms. 

• observing brief flickers of stars, criss-cross lines, or other shapes
• speaking slurred
• vomiting and nausea
• The pain made worse by activity
• One side of the body may experience a tingly feeling or numbness
• light and sound sensitivity
• motor skills impairment
• severe pain in one or both parts of the head, which may be rippling or pulsing
• a shiny or blind spot in the centre of eyesight 
• Silent migraine – characterised by some visual symptoms but no headache

Ocular Migraine: How Is It Generally Treated? 

Are you wondering how a visual migraine gets treated by physicians? Well, we can say that its treatment usually seeks to prevent and reduce the symptoms. Erenumab (Aimovig) is a medicine that inhibits the function of a molecule known as the calcitonin gene-related peptide, which is implicated in migraine attacks.

This is not as some other prescription drugs developed by makers for various conditions may also help stop migraine symptoms. These include medications for:

• Elevated blood pressure
• Epilepsy or convulsive disorders
• Anxiety
• Hormone replacement therapy

Doctors can also prescribe botulinum toxin A to help avoid chronic migraines. This medicine necessitates a specialist’s approval. It can also treat spasms and is an excellent way for ocular migraine treatment. 

Why CFS?

All in all, we can say that even though an ocular migraine is rare, it can turn out to be fatal once you acquire it. So, it is a good idea to consult a good doctor at CFS as soon as you witness any of the above-mentioned eye migraine symptoms, as we have a team of experts with specialized skills and technology. Get in touch with us today! 

Article: Ocular Migraine: All You Need To Know About It
Author: CFS Editorial Team   |   Nov 21 2022 | UPDATED 07:20 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.