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Migraine Headaches Guide
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.
Ocular migraines involve a variety of different symptoms. 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.
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