Ophthalmic Migraine

While the word “migraine” conjures up thoughts of excruciating headaches (and rightfully so), an ophthalmic or ocular migraine is often unaccompanied by any pain. It is, however, a variety of migraine. Its hallmark is a set of unique visual disturbances.

First you might notice a shimmering around the periphery of your vision. This flickering progresses inward, often with jagged edges. The aura continues to shut in, closing off or blurring your side vision. Interestingly enough, you can see the aura even with your eyes closed. Eventually the disturbance begins to open back up until it is gone. Most episodes last 10 to 20 minutes, with full visual recovery. An ocular migraine may occur in one eye or both.

It has been suggested that ocular migraine may be triggered by stress, certain foods, flashing lights, and hormonal changes. The visual display is not caused by anything in the eye per se, but rather by disturbances in the vasculature of the brain (as are migraine headaches). No treatment is generally given unless the patient begins to experience headaches during or after the aura.

Jan Ledford, COMT
EyeWrite Productions