Ocular migraines, sometimes known as visual migraines, can be alarming when they appear suddenly. These migraines are a type of migraine that affects your vision in one eye, causing temporary disturbances that can range from seeing flashing lights to temporary vision loss. If you’re experiencing these symptoms out of the blue, it’s natural to wonder, “Why Am I Suddenly Getting Ocular Migraines?” Let’s explore what ocular migraines are, their symptoms, and what might be causing them to start happening to you.
What are Ocular Migraines?
Ocular migraines are characterized by temporary visual disturbances that typically affect one eye. These episodes are usually short-lived, often resolving within 20 to 30 minutes, but they can sometimes last up to an hour. It’s important to distinguish them from other types of migraines, as ocular migraines specifically involve visual symptoms.
The symptoms of an ocular migraine can be quite varied and may include:
- Temporary vision loss: This is perhaps the most concerning symptom, where you might experience a complete or partial loss of vision in one eye.
- Blind spot (scotoma): You may notice a dark or blurry spot in your field of vision in one eye.
- Headache: A headache may occur simultaneously with the visual symptoms or shortly after they subside. However, it’s also possible to experience ocular migraines without a headache at all.
- Other visual disturbances: These can include seeing flashing lights, zigzag patterns, shimmering spots, or colored lines. These visual phenomena are often referred to as aura.
- Nausea: Some individuals may also feel sick to their stomach during an ocular migraine.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
While ocular migraines are usually temporary and not dangerous, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. It’s crucial to know when to seek urgent help to rule out more serious conditions.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- You experience vision problems, such as a blind spot, for the first time. Sudden changes in vision should always be evaluated promptly to identify the cause.
You can contact NHS 111 by phone or online for guidance and advice on your symptoms.
When to See a Doctor (Non-Urgent)
For ongoing or changing ocular migraines, it’s important to consult your doctor for proper management and to discuss potential triggers and treatments.
See a GP if you have retinal migraines and:
- They are getting worse: An increase in the severity or intensity of your ocular migraines warrants medical review.
- You are getting them more often: If the frequency of your ocular migraines is increasing, it’s important to seek medical advice.
- There is a change to your usual symptoms: Any new or different symptoms associated with your ocular migraines should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Immediate Action Required: Call 999
In some cases, sudden visual disturbances accompanied by other neurological symptoms can indicate a serious medical emergency. It is vital to call 999 immediately if you experience any of the following:
- A headache that comes on suddenly and is extremely painful: This could be a sign of a serious condition like a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Sudden problems speaking or remembering things: These are potential stroke symptoms.
- Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or double vision: While it could be an ocular migraine, sudden and severe vision changes need immediate evaluation.
- Suddenly feeling dizzy, drowsy, or confused: These can be signs of various serious medical issues.
- A seizure or fit: Seizures can be a symptom of a serious underlying condition.
- A high temperature with a stiff neck, pain when looking at bright lights, pale and blotchy skin, or a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it: These are symptoms suggestive of meningitis.
- Sudden weakness in your arms or legs on one side of your body, or one side of your face: These are classic stroke symptoms and require immediate emergency care.
Do not drive yourself to the hospital if you experience these symptoms. Call 999 and follow their instructions.
Treatments for Ocular Migraines
If ocular migraines are infrequent, treatment may not be necessary. However, for those who experience them frequently, several treatment options are available to manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.
A GP might suggest the following:
- Identifying and avoiding triggers: Keeping a migraine diary to track episodes can help pinpoint potential triggers like caffeine, alcohol, stress, or certain foods.
- Pain relief medication: Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage headache pain associated with ocular migraines.
- Anti-nausea medication: If nausea is a prominent symptom, medication to alleviate sickness can be prescribed.
- Preventative medications: For frequent ocular migraines, medications like topiramate or amitriptyline, which are also used to prevent migraines, might be recommended.
- Acupuncture: Some individuals find acupuncture helpful in managing migraine frequency and severity.
If these initial treatments are not effective, your GP may refer you to a neurologist, a specialist in nervous system disorders, for further evaluation and more specialized treatment options.
What Causes Ocular Migraines?
The exact cause of ocular migraines isn’t fully understood, but they are believed to be related to changes in blood flow to the eye. It’s thought that the blood vessels in the retina or behind the eye suddenly constrict, reducing blood supply and causing the visual disturbances.
Several factors and triggers have been identified that can potentially lead to ocular migraines:
- Stress: Emotional or physical stress is a common trigger for various types of migraines, including ocular migraines.
- Caffeine and Alcohol: Both caffeine and alcohol consumption can contribute to migraines in susceptible individuals.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids can be a trigger for migraines.
- Smoking: Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can affect blood vessels and increase migraine risk.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Fluctuations in blood pressure might play a role in triggering ocular migraines.
- Bending Over: Changes in head position and blood flow when bending over can sometimes trigger an episode.
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Skipping meals or prolonged fasting can lead to low blood sugar, potentially triggering migraines.
- Hormonal Contraceptives: For some women, hormonal birth control methods may be associated with an increased risk of migraines.
Keeping a detailed migraine diary can be incredibly helpful in identifying your personal triggers and understanding why you might be suddenly experiencing ocular migraines.
Things You Can Do if You Get Ocular Migraines
Alongside medical treatments, there are several self-care measures you can adopt to manage ocular migraines and potentially reduce their frequency and intensity. Your GP might suggest these lifestyle adjustments before considering other treatments:
Do:
- Rest in a dark, quiet room: When an ocular migraine strikes, lying down in a dark and silent room can help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, which is a known migraine trigger.
- Maintain a healthy diet and regular meal times: Eating regular, balanced meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent hypoglycemia-related migraines.
- Exercise regularly and get enough sleep: A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and sufficient sleep can contribute to overall well-being and potentially reduce migraine frequency.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can be linked to increased migraine risk, so maintaining a healthy weight is advisable.
- Manage stress levels: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to manage stress triggers.
- Avoid known triggers: Once you identify your triggers through a migraine diary, try to avoid them as much as possible. This might include limiting caffeine and alcohol intake or managing stress proactively.
By understanding ocular migraines, recognizing their symptoms, and being aware of potential triggers and treatments, you can take proactive steps to manage this condition and address the question of “Why am I suddenly getting ocular migraines?” effectively. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and management strategies.
