#Vision migraine aura how to#

Many people are able to identify individual migraine triggers or trigger combinations.

These fluctuations may play a role in migraine symptoms developing. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies can also affect estrogen levels. In women, hormones fluctuate due to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Studies have suggested that a drop in estrogen concentration is the most likely hormonal cause of migraine.Įstrogen is a hormone that controls chemicals in the brain associated with pain. However, the exact nature of this relationship isn’t clear. There may also be a link between estrogen levels and migraine. However, studies have not assessed a clear pattern of inheritance for ocular migraine. Research suggests that a family history of migraine or ocular migraine increases your chances of having them. In fact, genetics may account for up to 60% of a person’s chance of having the condition. However, one theory is that a narrowing of arteries causes a temporary lack of blood flow to the eye and induces symptoms.

#Vision migraine aura how to#

Call or contact online the highly trained staff at NeoVision Eye Center to learn more about your symptoms, how to identify triggers, and ways to best avoid their occurrence.The exact causes of ocular migraine are unknown. While symptoms of ocular migraines may be quite distressing, they are usually short-lived experiences. Whenever you experience uncommon vision impairment, you should schedule a comprehensive eye exam with a skilled ophthalmologist to rule out more severe conditions. Ocular migraines are difficult to diagnose due to their brief nature but may be determined through an investigation of symptoms, an eye examination, and a review of personal and family medical history. Triggers of ocular migraines may include:

Ocular migraines aren’t usually a sign of a serious problem and permanent damage is rare. While some experts believe ocular migraines may result from changes in the nerve cells that spread across the retina. Once a migraine is over, the narrowed blood vessels relax allowing normal blood flow and restoration of visual disturbances. While still being studied, ocular migraines are believed to occur when blood vessels in our eyes become constricted or narrowed, reducing blood flow. What Causes Migraines with Visual Disturbances It may be difficult to differentiate between Retinal migraines and migraines with aura, making it important to consult your physician if you think you may be experiencing a retinal migraine. Symptoms are similar but likely to be more interruptive than aura symptoms, including decreased vision, flashing or twinkling light, and temporary blindness. Retinal MigraineĪ migraine with visual symptoms that occur in only one eye before or during the headache phase of a migraine. A migraine with aura occurs in about 30 percent of migraine sufferers. When aura symptoms appear in combination with a headache, they usually do so between the symptoms that warn of a migraine attack and when the actual head pain begins. Migraine aura is typically short-lived and may occur with or without a headache. Migraine aura may also affect other senses causing numbness in the face or hands, speech interference, or disrupted taste or smell. Symptoms involve flashes of light, visual lines, blind spots and other possible visual disturbances.

Types of Ocular Migraines Migraine with Aura

Ocular migraines may occur with or without head pain. Some patients may experience more traditional symptoms of a migraine such as: These migraine subtypes are characterized by several different visual disturbances that may include: The term is often used synonymously in reference to two different conditions: a migraine with aura and a retinal migraine. The term “ocular migraine” can cause a little confusion but generally means a migraine that is accompanied by changes or distortions to vision. When we hear the word “migraine”, we often think of a painful and debilitating headache that is far worse than everyday headaches.