Ocular Migraine: What It Is, Why It Happens, and When to See a Doctor
An ocular migraine, also called an ophthalmic migraine, is a temporary visual disturbance that can be alarming the first time it happens, especially because it often occurs without any pain. Understanding what’s happening and what triggers it can make future episodes far less unsettling.
What Is an Ocular Migraine?
During an ocular migraine, vision can start to show spots, lines, or a pixelated appearance toward one side of the visual field. This pattern often grows in a circular shape and moves across the vision. In our experience, this symptom is usually noticed in one eye. Covering one eye may show the disturbance, while covering the other eye does not. From onset to the point the symptom fades, the episode typically lasts about 15 to 30 minutes, with 30 minutes being most common.
What Causes an Ocular Migraine?
We understand this to involve a temporary constriction of blood flow to the vessels that supply the visual cortex, the part of the brain that processes vision. It is a type of migraine that can occur without any associated headache pain, sometimes described as a painless migraine. After an episode, some people notice their eyes have a glazed over appearance, or simply feel like they are not acting like their usual selves for a short time.
Common Triggers for Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraines can be brought on by:
- Increased stress
- Inadequate sleep
- Food and drink triggers, including dark chocolate, wine, and cheese
- General visual stress
When to See a Doctor
If you experience more than one of these episodes a month, it’s best to see both your eye care provider and your primary care provider. Together, they can help assess what may be triggering the episodes and rule out other causes of sudden vision changes.
For more clinical background, see the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s patient page, What Is Migraine?
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today at Navigation Eye Care in Chesapeake, VA because sudden vision changes deserve a proper evaluation.
FAQ
What is an ocular migraine?
An ocular migraine, or ophthalmic migraine, is a temporary visual disturbance involving spots, lines, or a pixelated appearance that typically moves across the field of vision and resolves within about 15 to 30 minutes.
Is an ocular migraine painful?
Not always. It can occur as a type of migraine without any associated headache pain, sometimes called a painless migraine.
Does an ocular migraine affect one eye or both?
In our experience, patients usually notice the disturbance in one eye, which can be confirmed by covering each eye individually during an episode.
What triggers ocular migraines?
Common triggers include stress, inadequate sleep, certain foods and drinks such as dark chocolate, wine, and cheese, and general visual stress.
When should I see a doctor about ocular migraines?
If you’re experiencing more than one episode a month, it’s best to see both your eye care provider and your primary care provider to evaluate the underlying triggers.