Ocular Migraine

Ocular migraine or eye migraine are the terms commonly used for what is more properly known as ophthalmic migraine. This condition is also sometimes referred to as silent migraine headaches and is also written as occular migraine.

When we talk about a migraine we are usually referring to a severe headache which is often accompanied by visual disturbances including a sensitivity to light.

However, it is possible to experience visual disturbances with or without the pain of a headache and this gives rise to the terms ophthalmic, ocular or eye migraine. Where a headache is not present it is also common to use the term silent migraine.

For example, it is common to experience a small blind spot in the center of your vision together with bright colored flickering lights and zigzag lines. This blind spot normally enlarges and moves across your field of vision. Ocular migraine can last for just a few minutes, but typically lasts about 20 to 30 minutes.

Ocular migraine symptoms are very similar to those seen in sufferers who experience the aura which accompanies a classical migraine but, according to some schools of thought, there is one important difference.

In cases of classical migraine the visual disturbance arises within the occipital cortex (the visual processing area of the brain) but in ocular migraine this disturbance arises from the retinal blood vessels within the eyes. In other words, the aura accompanying a classical migraine arises from within the brain whereas ocular migraine arises from within the eye. This said, the problem is that there is some disagreement over just what causes ocular migraine and some health professionals would argue that any effect on the retinal blood vessels originates in the occipital cortex.

Ocular migraine symptoms are temporary in nature and result in no lasting harm. They can however interfere with normal day to day activities, such as reading or watching television, and are clearly of particular significance for anybody who is driving or operating machinery.

There is no specific treatment for ocular migraine, other than those drug treatments which would normally be given for migraines in general.

Recommended books from

The Magnesium Solution for Migraine Headaches
by Jay S. Cohen
Amazon Price: $5.95
Customer Review: I was having migraines every day, some even lasted for days and I even had one that lasted a week. Medications prescribed by my doctor would barely even make a dent in the pain. Within one day of starting the Magnesium treatment I noticed that the migraine I had been suffering from for days was starting to lessen, by day two I could tell a definite...

What Do You Do When the Medications Don't Work? A Non-Drug Treatment of Dizzi...
by Michael L. Johnson
Amazon Price:
Customer Review: I lived through 13 years of misery, visiting one doctor after another for my strange collection of pain, sleeplessness, and other symptoms, diagnosed as fibromyalgia. Dr. Johnson's book changed my life! After I read it, I emailed his office for a referral. He answered me personally with the name of an excellent chiropractic neurologist in my area h...

Migraine Headaches and the Foods You Eat: 200 Recipes for Relief
by Agnes Peg Hartnell, G. Scott Tyler
Amazon Price: $15.34
Customer Review: This book was very helpful. Although many of the recipes contained trigger foods, it was very clear to the reader to watch for or substitute for these foods if they were a problem. I would recommend this book to anyone who suffers from migraines.

Milton cell tower debate stays open; bright light atop tower stays off - The ...
19 Jul 2010 at 4:21am

Milton cell tower debate stays open; bright light atop tower stays off
The Saratogian
I am inflicted with ocular migraines. ? You need to drop their cell tower to where there's no light, or tear it down.? Board members asked about a shield ...

BUYINS.NET: AGN, PFG, VRX, HOLX, OSK, RBC Expected To Be Higher After Earning...
30 Jul 2010 at 9:44am

BUYINS.NET: AGN, PFG, VRX, HOLX, OSK, RBC Expected To Be Higher After Earnings ...
TMCnet
The Specialty Pharmaceuticals segment offers a range of pharmaceutical products, including ophthalmic products for chronic dry eye, glaucoma therapy, ocular .....

Letter: Beware the tick; beware the doctor! - Rappahannock News
29 Jul 2010 at 10:52am

Letter: Beware the tick; beware the doctor!
Rappahannock News
I suffer severe ocular pain and migraine headaches and overwhelming fatigue on a daily basis as well as other Lyme related symptoms. ...

and more »

www.StockMarketingInc.com: Stock Marketing Inc Presents!! BHWX,ISCO,SIOR,MZEI...
7 Jul 2010 at 9:41am

www.StockMarketingInc.com: Stock Marketing Inc Presents!! BHWX,ISCO,SIOR,MZEI ...
Trading Markets (press release)
According to Dr. Geetha Krishnan Iyer, who is involved in the management of ocular surface disease at Sankara Nethralaya, "The team at ...