Ocular migraine or retinal migraine is an eye condition. It causes temporary loss of vision in one eye or visual problems like blurry vision and flashing lights. Although these temporary visual disturbances can be alarming, in most cases they are harmless and the symptoms usually disappear on their own after around 20-30 mins. Most people don’t need any treatment. However, if you have any concerns, visit an eye hospital near you.
Want to know more on ocular migraine?
Check this read where we discuss ocular migraine in a detailed manner:
- Causes of ocular migraine:
When the blood vessels to the eye suddenly narrow, the blood flow to the eye is reduced which causes ocular migraine. Here are a few triggers that can cause the condition:
- High blood pressure
- A family history of migraines
- Stress
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Excessive heat
- Oral contraceptive pill
- High altitude
- Signs and symptoms:
An ocular migraine does not affect everyone in the same way. As a result, the signs and symptoms vary from person to person. The following are some of the most common ones:
- Partial or total loss of vision in one eye – this can last anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes. And then the vision gradually returns to normal.
- Headache during or after vision less
In most cases, the same eye is affected every time.
- Diagnosis and treatment:
An eye doctor will examine your eyes and will ask you a few questions related to your symptoms to rule out other conditions that could cause similar problems, such as:
- Blockage in the artery that leads to the eye
- Spasms in the artery that carries blood to the retina
- Inflammation in blood vessels
- Stroke
- Blood vessel disorders related to autoimmune diseases
- Drug abuse
Once diagnosed, your eye doctor will give you medical advice. Normally, treatment isn’t required for ocular migraines as symptoms usually go away on their own after sometime. However, when the attacks happen, we would recommend you to rest your eyes until the symptoms pass. Your doctor may advise you to take painkillers to get relief from headaches. If you are worried about the frequency of the attacks, consult your eye doctor.
Looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata?
Visit Disha Eye Hospitals – we provide the best eye care services at affordable costs. We offer the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases including glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.