Ocular migraine is also known as opthalmoplegic migraine which usually tends to affect one eye and can cause a number of visual distortions. Other traits of this type of migraine are nausea, vomiting and double vision or diplopia. A characteristic feature of ocular migraine is that it is painless and does not cause any harm but it can be quite terrifying.

A migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases and is caused by abnormalities in the blood vessels in the head. Most migraine attacks begin during the day with severe, pounding pain that is unilateral in nature and gradually branches out. A migraine attack can peak within minutes to a few hours or days. Sleep is often the best way to treat a migraine.

Causes of Ocular migraine:

Ocular migraine can be caused due to various ailments such as nerve palsy, carotid artery aneurisms and diabetes.

Symptoms of Ocular migraine:

Ocular migraines cause a number of visual distortions. Patients experiencing this type of migraine report of seeing a small expanding blind spot called scotoma in the center. This is accompanied by scintillations or sparkling lights or an iridescent crisscrossing streak or metamorphosia within the scotoma. The blind spot tends to broaden and can also cover the entire field of vision. The duration of this attack can last from a few minutes to half an hour.

Another characteristic feature of this type of migraine is that it is painless and does not cause any permanent damage to the brain or vision. It is however, essential for you to contact your doctor in case you experience any visual distortions as it may indicate the presence of an underlying ailment that requires treatment.

Ocular migraine help:

The causes of ocular migraine are still unknown. Thus, it is very difficult for one to prevent such an attack from happening. The visual disturbances involved in this type of migraine are not associated to any type of eye problem but are the outcome of migraine activity that takes place in the brain.

In case you experience any visual distortions, you must cease doing whatever task is at hand and try to calm yourself until the attack subsides. You must visit an eye specialist or physician for consultation and try to relax. There are no specific treatments for ocular migraine but if the symptoms begin to occur frequently you must talk to your doctor and take the prescribed medications.