Migraines can be intense, debilitating, and overwhelming. People who experience migraines frequently may find that these headaches interfere with their daily activities.
Migraines can manifest with numerous symptoms, from nausea to throbbing head pain. One of the most alarming characteristics of migraines is changes in vision. Migraines that affect vision usually fall into two categories: migraines with aura or retinal migraines.
What Is a Migraine With Aura?
Migraines with aura are distinctly different from retinal migraines, which are less common. Migraines with aura are sometimes called classic migraines, not to be confused with common migraines, which are similar but have no visual symptoms. The umbrella term “aura” is used to describe visual and some other physical symptoms relating to the migraine.
When you experience a migraine with aura, you may notice:
- Blind or dark spots in your field of vision
- Flashing lights
- Patterns moving across your field of vision
- Shimmering spots in your field of vision
- Star shaped deformations around light sources
When an aura appears, you may also experience numbness, a feeling of muscle weakness, confusion, or changes in your other senses.
Migraine auras can occur up 10 to 30 minutes before headache symptoms appear, but may also accompany a headache. Most aura phenomena are short-lasting and affect both eyes.
What Is a Retinal Migraine?
Many patients confuse migraine auras with retinal migraines. A retinal migraine is a separate, rare condition that appears in people who have other kinds of migraines as well. This mix-up is due to the fact that retinal migraine visual disturbances look similar to auras and that retinal migraines can happen back to back with classic or common migraines.
Retinal migraines are generally painless, though they can feel highly disorienting. The visual disturbances associated with these migraines only affect one eye at a time. Retinal migraines manifest with periods of blindness or dimmed vision. These episodes usually last only a few minutes, but can potentially continue for 30 minutes.
Why Do Migraines Cause Vision Disturbances?
Medicine has yet to determine the exact cause of migraines and their visual disturbances. Researchers believe that migraines occur when the body responds too aggressively to inflammation triggers, creating internal swelling and irritation in the neck, head, and brain.
Doctors have found that the biggest risk factor for migraines is genetics. If members of your immediate family suffer from classic, common, or retinal migraines, you are more likely to experience these headaches as well. However, you may have completely different migraine types and symptoms from your relatives.
It’s possible that migraines affect vision because the associated inflammation affects the nerves connected to the eye.
In the case of retinal migraines, some researchers believe that the painless vision changes come from spasms in the blood vessels of the eye.
When Should You See a Doctor About Migraines With Vision Disturbances?
Infrequent, mild classic, or common migraines can usually be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, hydration, and rest. However, migraines are potentially serious. Not only can migraines prevent you from functioning normally, but severe migraines can point to major neurological, eye, or spinal conditions.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Classic or common migraines paired with retinal migraines
- Persistent nausea or frequent vomiting
- Sudden changes in symptoms or headache frequency
- Symptoms lasting more than 72 hours
- Vision disturbances that interfere with your ability to drive, bike, or even walk
Even if you do not experience these extreme symptoms, consider discussing your migraines with your doctor. He or she may prescribe a medication to decrease the frequency of your headaches.
What Can You Expect From Migraine Treatment?
If you experience any of the emergency symptoms listed in the previous section, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or with a headache specialist. Treating migraines can be complex and may require any of the following options:
- Anti-seizure or antidepressant prescription medication to reduce convulsive symptoms
- Beta blockers to dilate optical blood vessels
- Calcium channel blockers to prevent blood vessel constriction
- Controlled, localized paralytics like Botox to calm nerve spasms
- Lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, such as eliminating alcohol and caffeine
If your doctor prescribes medication for your migraines, you may be given periodic injections, take daily doses, take the medication when you feel a migraine coming on, or take the medication when you encounter migraine triggers.
If your vision-related symptoms worsen or persist after the migraine has dissipated or after migraine treatment begins, you may have an underlying eye health issue that requires the expertise of an eye doctor.
Individuals who have retinal migraines are at high risk of vision loss in one eye and should be under the care and supervision of an eye health expert. Even if your symptoms are short-lived, you should discuss your eye health with a professional if you ever experience retinal migraines.
Discuss your history of migraines with one of the experienced optometrists at All About Eyes. Make an appointment at the location nearest you today.