Did you know that the World Health Organization places migraines among the top 10 most disabling medical illnesses in the world? It interferes with your education, career, and everyday social activities. In fact, it is the third most common disease which affects 1 out of every 7 individuals globally.
The keyword here is ‘disease.’ Yes, migraine is not just any headache. It is a medical illness with multiple types and development phases. One of which is Retinal migraine.
What is Retinal Migraine?
Retinal migraine is an uncommon type of migraine. It is linked with headaches and short-term vision loss in one eye. It causes temporary visual changes in one eye like:
- Flashes or sparkles of light
- Blind spots
- Partial vision loss
- Blindness
This vision loss usually goes on until 15-20 minutes before it gradually comes back. Another fact to note is that it may be the same eye that may be affected in most cases.
What Causes Retinal Migraines?
Sadly, the exact cause of retinal migraine is still unknown. However, doctors believe that retinal migraine episodes are a result of a wave of nerve cell deactivation that spreads across your retina. Here are some common triggers that may cause it:
- Stress
- Smoking
- Hot weather
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Vigorous exercise
- High blood pressure
How Is It Different from Ocular Migraine?
Ocular migraines are basically migraines with visual symptoms. If it affects only one eye, it is called retinal migraine. But if it affects both eyes, doctors call it a ‘migraine with aura.’
Migraine with aura, which affects both eyes, causes visual changes in about 98-99%. Some of the most reported visual symptoms are:
- Flashes of bright light
- Foggy vision
- Blurred vision
- Zigzag lines
- Blind spots
- Black dots
- Small bright spots
Again, there is no specific reason why such migraines occur. If information is to be believed, these migraine auras are a result of a phenomenon called ‘cortical spreading depression.’ In this phenomenon, a slow wave of altered electrical activity spreads throughout your cerebral cortex. The silver lining is that it is reversible and does not cause brain damage
Also Read: What Are the Different Types of Cataracts: Causes and Treatment Options
How Does Retinal Migraine Develop?
A retinal migraine episode usually starts with symptoms in one eye. It happens either alongside a migraine episode or within an hour of an episode starting. For a migraine episode to be classified as retinal migraine, either two of the three conditions have to be met. They are as follows:
- Symptoms develop in 5 minutes
- It lasts between 5 – 60 minutes
- You experience a headache — within 60 minutes or alongside retinal symptoms
Treatment Options for Retinal Migraine
There is no cure for retinal migraine. However, you can always manage it. It is recommended to take medications that treat headaches and avoid your triggers. If these aren’t effective, then you may be prescribed preventive medications.
When to See a Doctor?
The sad part about retinal migraine and ocular migraine is the similarity of their symptoms with a stroke. This is why it becomes extremely important for you to discuss any sudden changes in your vision with your doctor. These similar symptoms include:
- Vision loss
- Sudden confusion
- Weakness
- Speech troubles
- Headache and dizziness
Also Read: Diabetic Retinopathy: Early Signs and Effective Management
Conclusion
The terms ‘ocular migraine’ and ‘retinal migraine’ are not the same and you must be mindful of it. Furthermore, when it comes to retinal migraines, it is best to book an appointment & visit a doctor at Shree Ramkrishna Netralaya for medicinal recommendations. Why are we saying this? Well, because taking certain migraine medicines, like beta blockers, may increase your risk of permanent vision loss.
Finally, it may take some time to manage. You may even need to make permanent lifestyle changes based on your triggers to avoid them. But as long as you’re ready, there’s a chance to improve the situation.