Vision Problems with Migraines | Migraines Awareness Month

Migraines involve a headache that may also have accompanying symptoms, such as nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances. If you suffer from migraines, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 20 percent of the population have migraines.

June is Migraine Awareness Month and it’s a good time to take a closer look at how migraines may affect vision and ways to treat migraine symptoms. 
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What causes migraines? 

The exact cause of migraines is not entirely clear. Some research suggests migraines may occur due to inflammation triggers in the brain, neck, or head. Although the cause is still not known, certain risk factors have been identified that increase your chances of developing migraines. For example, having a family history of migraines increases your risk.

Also, more females than males develop migraines. According to the American Brain Foundation, women are three times more likely to develop migraines than men.

The vision-related changes that some people develop may occur due to inflammation in the nerves connected to the eyes. In other instances, it might be spasms in the blood vessels of the eye that causes vision changes.  
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Vison problems associated with migraines

Visual involvement commonly occurs with migraines. According to the American Migraine Foundation, up to 30 percent of people that get migraines have visual symptoms. Vision involvement related to migraines may include:

Visual disturbances (aura): Visual disturbances may occur before a migraine headache. Some people may also have visual issues even after the headache starts. Various types of visual disturbances may develop, including:

• Zigzagging lines move across the visual field
• Seeing dots, stars, or spots
• Blind spots
• Blurred vision
• Objects appearing too small or too large

Visual disturbances associated with migraines usually last 20 - 30 minutes.

Migraines can change throughout a person’s lifetime. Some people may experience a change in the type of visual issues they have during a migraine.

Ocular migraine: if you have the above aura symptoms without the headache, this is called an ocular migraine and is usually short in duration.

Retinal migraines: Retinal migraines involve painless vision loss that may only affect one eye. Typically, the vision loss only lasts about 30 minutes. Although the vision loss only lasts a brief time, it can still be disorienting. People that are prone to classic migraine headaches may also get retinal migraines.
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Treatment

There is no specific treatment for the visual disturbances that can occur with migraines, but treating migraines will likely reduce visual issues associated with the headaches. Migraine treatment may include:

Sleep: Getting more sleep may be enough to get rid of migraines in some people.

Hot or cold packs: Apply a cold or hot compress to the head or neck to ease the pain. A hot compress may relax the muscles, and a cold compress may numb the pain. Try both hot and cold to see what works better. 

Medication: Different types of medication are available to ease the pain associated with migraines. Medications work differently, but some drugs help by balancing the chemical changes that may have occurred in the brain.

Drinking caffeinated beverages: Caffeine can help increase the effects of over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen. 
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Prevention 

Preventing a migraine before it starts is always your best bet. Consider keeping a diary to help you determine if there is a pattern to your headaches. Determining a pattern to migraines may help you figure out what triggers them and what you should avoid.

Since lack of sleep can also cause migraines, it is vital to get enough rest.  Try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to migraines. Be sure to drink in moderation.

If you have any questions about migraines and your vision or any other eye-related condition, we are happy to help.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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