Visual Migraine: Symptoms & Causes and Treatment | GetWellGo

Visual Migraine Symptoms

It is very important however to state that the symptoms of Visual Migraine also known as Migraine Aura, have following characteristics:

Scintillating Scotoma

• Flashing, shimmering zigzag lines (in the form of ‘C’ or jagged)
• May extend over the whole visual range
• Can last 10 to 60 minutes

Fortification Spectra

• Structures that are in some way reminiscent of the walls of a medieval fort castle
• Jagged, geometric visual patterns

Visual Snow

• Grainy or static-like dots across the entire field of vision
• It can be constant and can also occur occasionally.

Tunnel vision or blind spots 

• Temporary areas of vision loss or blind spots
• Central or peripheral field could be altered

Flashes of Light (Photopsia)

• Flashers – abnormal flashing and twinkling of light in either one or both eyes.
• Often at the edges of the visual field

Color Distortions or Hallucinations

• Hallucination: This is a common condition where a person is being able to see an object that is not actually present in the physical world such as seeing colors or shapes that are not present.
• Can appear like kaleidoscopic patterns

Blurry Vision or Difficulty Focusing

• May interfere with even reading or recognizing faces.
• It could take the form of a sensation of movement or vibrational crackling when it comes to vision.

Visual Migraine Causes

The migraines are mainly postulated to be determined genetically, environmentally and through neurological susceptible factors. Below are the effects and some causes and triggers which may result in these effects:

• Neurological Changes
• Blood Flow Changes
• Genetics
• Hormonal Fluctuations
• Stress and Anxiety
• Environmental Triggers
• Dietary Factors
• Lack of Sleep or Poor Sleep Quality
• Dehydration
• Medications and Drug Use

Visual Migraine Treatment

Though visual migraines have no known cure, some medicines and certain modifications of the lifestyle can help a patient minimize the occurrence and the severity of an attack. The treatment is for the management of the symptoms during the onset of migraine and prevention of future instances of migraine. Here are some common strategies:

Acute Treatment During an Attack

• Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
• Prescription Medications
• Anti-nausea Medications
• Magnesium Supplements

Preventive Treatments

• Beta-blockers
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure Medications
• Botox Injections
• CGRP Inhibitors

Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Visual Migraines

• Regular Sleep Schedule
• Hydration
• Stress Management
• Dietary Changes
• Exercise
• Avoid Bright Lights and Flickering Screens

Supplements and Alternative Treatments

• Magnesium
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
• Acupressure
• Biofeedback

Vision Therapy and Eye Care

• Eye Exams
• Blue Light Filters

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Tracking and Avoiding Triggers

Consult a Specialist

What triggers a visual migraine?

It is important to note that different individuals have different causes that may lead to visual migraines. Here are some common triggers:

Environmental Triggers

• Flickering Lights or Bright lights: Sustained exposure to bright light or a situation such as disturbing florescent light or sunlight could cause a visual migraine.
• Light & Dark Sensitivity: Looking at quickly contrasting lights, for instance white lights against a black background results in visual migraines.
• Eye Strain: Some individuals feel strained when they use the smart phones, computers, television set and other related gadgets for long time especially if the gadget has a tendency to flicker or if the light intensity in that room is low.

Hormonal Changes

• Menstrual Cycle: Cyclic hormonal fluctuations during the women’s reproductive period such as menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause are also a factor that can lead to migraines, which can sometimes include visual disturbances.
• Birth Control Pills: Hormonal contraceptive also known as an oral contraceptive or birth control pill can also alter migraine severally in some individuals.

Stress and Emotional Triggers

• Stress: Stress or pressures in one’s daily activities or high anxiety or intense anger or even excitement can cause a migraine.
• Mental Fatigue: Overworking or excessive concentration may also cause a migraine.

Dietary Triggers

• Caffeine: consumption of large quantities of caffeine or lack of it may lead to migraines in some individuals.
• Migraine triggers: Certain foods and beverages for example red wine beer and other drinks that contain high level of histamine.
• Particular Foods: Usually, chocolate, ripened cheeses, processed meat products containing nitrates and foods containing MSG (monosodium glutamate) causes headache in many patients.
• Two factors contribute to a migraine among them being dehydration which is caused by failure to take enough water or not taking water at all.

Sleep-Related Triggers

• Sleeping habits: Lack of sleep and even oversleeping are some of the causes of migraines that may be experienced.
• Lack of Sleep or Interruption of Sleep: This includes a situation where one does not bother to have proper sleep, for example, if one nods off and wakes up after some few hours.

Weather and Atmospheric Changes

• Weather Fluctuations: Temperature, humidity or changes in air pressure such as storms and high winds are possible causes of migraines.
• Bright Sunlight: Direct exposure to sunlight will cause some form of vision complications if either protected by shades or otherwise.

Physical Triggers

• Neck or Shoulder Tension: This can also be another reason causing migraines including visual ones.
• Stress: Stress is known to be a trigger of migraine especially if you are under pressure physically, for instance, when exercising.

Medications

• Incorrect Medication Use: This is caused by suddenly stopping or reducing certain medications including pain killers or caffeine leading to “medication rebound” migraines.
• Some types of medications: drugs used in controlling birth control and those used for hormone replacement for example pills may cause migraines.

Sensory Overload

• Loud Noises: Exposure to loud noise or noise pollution can also act as a factor that starts a migraine in some persons.
• Sensations: Odors such as perfumes, cleaning agents, or foods that can also be a trigger.

Underlying Health Conditions

• Certain factors that relate to migraine and Vision change can be due to such specific conditions as Tension headaches, sinus problems or neurological disorders.
• Other diseases: Some diseases and ailments that one may be having such as high blood pressure or even dehydration may lead to more migraines.

Medication Side Effects

• The drug that is commonly taken for migraine like triptans as well as ergotamines result in vision side effects. Therefore, it’s crucial to discuss with your doctor whether your migraines could be caused by the drugs that you are using or if the migraines are making the situation worse.

Overstimulation

• Strong vividness, light conditions, rapidly or quickly alternating visuals, video games, etc., can create a migraine for some people, and it is advisable to avoid such stimuli.

How long do visual migraines last?

The periods during which it is experienced can be short or last for several hours and may also depend with the intensity of the migraines in the individual. Typically, visual migraines which are also referred to as migraine aura lasts as follow:

Visual Symptoms (Aura) Duration

• Typically lasts 20-30 minutes

Migraine Headache Phase (If Present)

• Migraine duration: In case migraine headache appears after the visual symptoms, which is common in many patients, its duration ranges from 4 hours to 72 hours.

Silent Migraines (Without Headache)

• Aura Only: Still, others get just the visual disturbances (without a headache) which are known as a silent migraine or acephalgic migraine. The visual disturbances still last about 10 to 30 minutes.

Visual Migraine vs Ocular Migraine

Visual Migraine (Migraine with Aura)

What it is:

A kind of migraine which involves visual disturbances; it may affect both eyes and they may occur before or during a head-ache or may not be associated with it at all.

Key Symptoms:

• Zigzag lines, the shimmering lights or like the pattern that is acquired by the reflection of light in a kaleidoscope.
• Blind spots or scotomas
• This condition affects both eyes even if it seems that only one eye is affected.
• May be accompanied by a migraine headache (though it is not mandatory).

Duration:

• Visual symptoms: 10 to 30 minutes, up to 60 mins
• Headache (if it occurs): 4–72 hours

Cause:

• Neurological: resultant with cortical spreading depression in the brain’s visual cortex.

Other Names:

• Migraine with aura
• As is suggested by the term ‘silent migraine’, if there is no headache involved

Ocular Migraine (Retinal Migraine)

What it is:

An uncommon form of migraine that affects a single eye most of the time it is present but not both eyes simultaneously.

Key Symptoms:

• Such episodes can also present as temporary vision loss, lessening of illumination, or a decline in the clarity of one eye.
• May disappear as a blind spot or even complete loss of vision in that eye
• Vision returns to normal after the episode
• Such set patterns of visual aura as zigzags or shimmering lines are, however, seldom observed in the case of migraine.
• It may be credited with or may not be succeeded by a headache.

Duration:

• Visual symptoms: a few minutes to up to an hour
• Vision usually returns fully

Cause:

• It is considered to be caused by constriction of blood vessels (vasospasm) in the retina or vessels behind one of the eyes

Other Names:

• Retinal migraine

Home Treatment for Visual Migraines

Treatment of visual migraines at home includes controlling the attack while it is going on as well as preventing future ocular migraines. Here are measures you can personally make at home:

Rest in a Dark, Quiet Room

• Lie down, close your eyes, avoid using light and try to minimize noise.
• If you need to use an eye mask or blackout curtains are appropriate for their age and they should be used as well.

Apply a Cold Compress

• If the experience is painful, take a cold pack or cloth and place it on the forehead or the back of the neck.

Limit Screen Time

• Do not use phone, computer or Television when the first signs of the symptoms appear.
• Blue light or screen flicker has been identified to worsen symptoms that are associated with the condition.

Practice Deep Breathing or Meditation

• Stress is often a precipitating factor, especially working on a stressful and challenging schedule; one should try deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or a short guided meditation.

Hydrate

• In order to, avoid dehydrations that cause more migraines, take small amounts of water at a time.

Headache treatment

• As a fundamental type of pain, headaches should be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
• If a headache comes, take Ibuprofen, Paracetamol or Acetylsalicylic acid which must not be taken under doctor’s advice.

Eye-related Migraines Symptoms

• Vision Loss in One Eye
• Scotoma (Blind Spot)
• Flashing or Flickering Lights (Photopsia)
• Tunnel Vision
• Distorted Vision
• Throbbing Headache
• Pulsing Sensation Behind the Eye

Top Doctors

• Dr. Sumit Singh
• Dr. Jyoti Sehgal
• Dr. Praveen Gupta
• Dr. Atul Prasad
• Dr. Charu Gauba

Best Hospitals

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket
• Apollo Hospital, Delhi

Why Choose GetWellGo for Visual Migraine?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for visual migraine treatment.
• Expert neurologist with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food