Have you ever had those moments where you suffer from visual disturbances such as blind spots, seeing stars, zig-zag lines, or even visual loss?
If you say yes then chances are you are dealing with an ocular migraine. Headaches are already quite worrisome and annoying but these migraines are unique in nature as they are coupled with visual disturbances. ‘Ocular’ is a term that sums up a specific type of migraine that brings with it disturbances in your sight.
Read on to learn more about this tedious medical condition.
What is an Ocular Migraine?
As mentioned earlier, ocular migraine is defined as experiencing unusual visuals; this may include sudden blurring or blind spots. One thing to keep in mind about this unique migraine is that doctors refer to it as the “silent migraine” which is why it is also called an acephalgic migraine (painless migraine).
Now, you must be wondering that it doesn’t sound so bad since you don’t get to experience the usual migraine pain but frequent ocular migraines can be hard to deal with while carrying out everyday tasks.
Symptoms of an Ocular Migraine
Because of its unique nature, you may not even know when or if you are dealing with an ocular migraine. It is important to keep a track of the symptoms as it can help you detect them better and be able to receive medical help. Here are some of the symptoms affiliated with ocular migraines:
- Bright flashes of light
- Blinds spots
- Seeing stars or bright spots
- Tunnel vision
- Blurred or foggy vision
- Seeing Zigzag lines
- Distorted image
Causes of an Ocular Migraine
Now that you are well aware of what an ocular migraine is, you are probably wondering what causes it. Well, the answer is that there is no answer yet.
Doctors and scientists view the cause of ocular migraines to be complicated and often debated so, there are no proper answers. One of the potential causes can be the misfiring of electrical activity in your brain which could be a trigger of the ocular migraine. Here is a list of potential triggers:
- Skipping meals
- Bright lights or flashes
- Exhaustion
- Anxiety or stress.
Treatment for Ocular Migraine
Before jumping to the conclusion that you are dealing with an ocular migraine, you should talk to a doctor so they could rule out any other medical condition. Treatments for it usually vary and doctors prescribe different treatments suited for different patients which can include blood pressure medications, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medicines, magnesium supplements, and even Botox.
Who knew ‘seeing stars’ was an actual thing?
