If migraines are new to you, seeing zig-zag lines, kaleidoscope patterns, and flickering lights might leave you wondering if this is normal. You’re not alone, and your eyes might be giving you an important clue! Welcome to the world of ocular migraines, a condition that can be disruptive and most often misunderstood.
What are Ocular Migraines?
Ocular migraines are a type of migraine headache that causes temporary visual symptoms, usually in one eye. Ocular migraines are typically caused by a drop in blood flow to the eye or a spasm in the eye’s blood vessels and can last from a few minutes to up to 60 minutes.
What are some common signs and symptoms?
Ocular migraines can show up in many different ways and typically affect the same eye with every recurrent episode. If you are experiencing an ocular migraine, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Flashes or flickers of light
- Zig-zag or kaleidoscope pattern
- Shimmering lines
- Blind spot
- Tunnel vision
- Temporary vision loss (in one eye)
- Mild pain behind affected eye
Note: some of these signs can be related to other serious conditions like retinal detachment, amaurosis fugax, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or optic neuritis.
What can trigger an Ocular Migraine?
There isn’t always a clear-cut cause behind an ocular migraine, but common triggers include stress, poor sleep, hormonal fluctuations, extended screen use, dehydration, and foods like red wine, dairy, or gluten.
Tips for Ocular Migraine Relief
- Wear polarized sunglasses to block glare
- Use blue light filtered glasses for extra comfort with screen work
- Stay hydrated and eat regularly
- Keep a journal to identify and avoid your triggers
- Book routine eye exams to catch underlying vision issues
If you are experiencing an ocular migraine, especially for the first time, it’s important to visit your eye doctor to identify whether your symptoms are from an ocular migraine or something more serious. A comprehensive eye exam is exactly what you need …and lucky for you, we know just the place. At inFocus Vision Care, you’re in the right hands!
