What is an ocular migraine?

But with eye-related migraines, visual disturbances with or without headache pain as well can follow migraine processes considered to be related to alterations in blood flow in the brain.These visual problems associated with migraines technically are known as ophthalmic migraines, but are much more commonly (though incorrectly) known as ocular migraines. Because most laypeople understand the term better, this article refers to the condition as "ocular migraine."The biological causes of migraines are unknown, but a lot of precipitating factors have been identified. Stress, premenstrual varieties, alcohol consumption, hunger, or the use of oral contraceptives can induce migraines in certain persons.Sure foods may produce attacks; these include red wine, chocolate, milk, aged cheese, chicken livers, meats preserved in nitrates, or foods prepared with monosodium glutamate. Certain individuals report that exposure to sunlight or exercise can trigger attacks.The symptoms of ocular migraines alter from person to person, and may include seeing zigzagging lines or patterns, especially at the outer edges of your vision, seeing shimmering or colored lights, loss of vision in one spot or off to one side. With typical migraines, but uncommonly with ocular migraines, you will be able to have severe pain following these symptoms. You may too have vomiting or nausea. Ocular migraines commonly require no treatment, other than rest 'till the symptoms pass.Your physician will routinely get a full history and perform a thorough physical exam to rule out systemic causes of the headache. Your ophthalmologist will verify that no eye-related problems are bringing on the headache.Stress easing, control of blood pressure, or medication to maintain appropriate hormonal levels may be needed. New glasses or different work lighting may be prescribed by your physician.If you have continual headaches, it's significant to consult your medical physician about them for a medical evaluation.The management of a migraine consists of avoiding any precipitating factors, together with prophylactic or symptomatic pharmacologic treatment, if needed.During acute attacks, numerous patients discover it useful to rest in a quiet, darkened room until symptoms subside.A simple analgesic (e.g., aspirin) consumed right away oftentimes offers relief, but treatment with extracranial vasoconstrictors or other drugs is sometimes required.Cafergot, a combination of ergotamine tartrate and caffeine, is often particularly useful. A drug known as ergotamine has been applied effectively for acute migraine. Sometimes, an analgesic painkiller is applied in combination with it. Ergotamine can bring on headaches and other side effects, such as vomiting, nausea, cramps and tingling sensations. It should be employed only a couple of times a week and not at all during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.Sumatriptan is a fast-acting agent that can abort attacks when given subcutaneously (under the skin) by an autoinjection device. It should be avoided in pregnancy.If migraine headaches occur more than 2 or 3 times a month, prophylactic treatment may be required. Medications include aspirin, propranolol or amitriptyline.For more information, visit Eye Migraine blog.